Harry defends Defoe pursuit
05 Jan 2009 - 15:14:33
Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp has denied unsettling Portsmouth striker Jermain Defoe with thoughts of a move back to White Hart Lane.
Defoe was omitted from the Pompey squad for last weekend's goalless FA Cup stalemate with Bristol City amid suggestions of a heavy cold.
His future has been the subject of intense speculation since Redknapp revealed he was hoping to re-sign a striker he took from Spurs to Fratton Park 12 months ago.
Spurs have already seen one bid for the England international rejected, but Redknapp claims his public courting of the striker has not done his former club a disservice.
Redknapp left Portsmouth for the north London club in October.
"The chairman has dealt with it," claimed Redknapp. "He has gone in there and made an offer.
"I have not gone in for any other players at Portsmouth. I have not made any enquiries there.
"If they don't want to sell him they don't have to."
Meanwhile, Redknapp has admitted the club has also made an unsuccessful approach for unsettled Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing.
He added: "Middlesbrough are a good club and if the chairman decides he doesn't want to sell him, that's his right to do that and that's the end of that one.
"We can only make an offer and it is up to the clubs if they want to accept it or not."