Source: SKY_Sports
Redknapp denies Upson link
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has denied speculation linking him to West Ham centre-back Matthew Upson.
Redknapp has major worries at the heart of his defence as Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate and Michael Dawson are sidelined, leaving no recognised centre-back at his disposal.
But the Spurs boss - whose side's defensive frailties were exposed in Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Celtic in the Wembley Cup - insists he is not looking to sign England defender Upson from former club West Ham.
Redknapp told Sky Sports News: "I've never mentioned Matthew Upson - listen, don't believe all the rubbish you read in the Sunday newspapers, where they get these stories from God only knows.
"I've never, ever mentioned Matthew Upson - he's a terrific player - never mentioned the boy's name, he belongs to West Ham and please God for West Ham he stays there."
As regards the possible switch of Peter Crouch from Portsmouth to Spurs, Redknapp said the deal was not yet done.
"He doesn't belong to us until we agree a fee for him with Portsmouth. Portsmouth want to sell him, we have to agree a fee that is a fee that is acceptable to Portsmouth - if we don't do that we can't get him so we will have to wait and see you know."
Spurs have been linked with both Crouch and Patrick Vieira and asked how much money Redknapp had to spend, he replied: "It's not massive money - I think we've got to do some business in the transfer market, one or two will have to go out as well to balance the books before you can do anything."
Redknapp was also not too despondent after watching his side lose to Celtic.
"Last pre-season Tottenham beat Roma 5-0 on the Saturday before the season started and then went eight games without winning a game," he said.
"I had a team a few years ago that lost six pre-season games and then won the Championship so it's what you do, you take lessons, you learn from what you get out of these pre-season games but it all counts on the opening day, that is all that really matters - that is where it starts."
When Crouch's signing is finalised Darren Bent will all but certainly leave the club as Redknapp added: "Darren is looking to go but it's up to people to make the offer that we want.
"Nobody misses chances deliberately. He tucked some great chances away in pre-season and he will always score goals. He's a good player but I just want some balance and Crouchy would give us something different."
