Redknapp closing in on Palacios and Bellamy

TOTTENHAM boss Harry Redknapp is closing in on the signing of Wilson Palacios, and has been told Craig Bellamy wants to join him from West Ham.

Palacios has continued to train with Wigan – but a move away from the JJB Stadium to Spurs has been agreed, with the deal worth around £14million (€15.4m).

“He’s a good player,” said Redknapp.

“The chairman is dealing with it – he’s talking to Wigan. I’ve spoken to him and he was pretty close to doing a deal.”

The deal will represent a huge profit for Wigan, who signed the midfielder for £1m (€1.1m) from Birmingham.

Latics boss Steve Bruce, who originally brought the Honduran England, said: “It’s an unbelievable success story. Wilson was in Honduras 18 months ago.

“We brought him over (to Birmingham) for relative buttons, and to be on the brink of joining a club like Tottenham must be exciting for him. It is a little bit daunting for Wilson. But the one thing about him, when he goes on the football pitch he won’t be daunted.”

Redknapp will also be encouraged by Bellamy telling West Ham he wants to leave for White Hart Lane, although the Hammers have refused him permission to talk to Spurs – after turning down a £12m (€13.2m) bid.

The Hammers, who previously turned down bids from Manchester City, have also offered the 29-year-old a fresh contract in their attempt to keep the player they signed from Liverpool.

“Someone has told me he wants to come here and play,” said Redknapp.

“If we can do a deal, good.”

Another striker Redknapp has been interested in is Sunderland’s Kenwyne Jones, although Spurs will need to offer more than their previous £14m (€15.4m) valuation to persuade his club to do business.

“The chairman made an offer for Kenwyne Jones. They don’t want to sell him, so that is the end of that one,” Redknapp said.

“There is nothing more you can do. He spoke to Niall Quinn. But they decided he is not for sale, and that is their decision.”

And a possible deal for Inter Milan’s Adriano appears to receding. Redknapp watched the Brazil international in Italy this week but insists there has been no approach for the striker, or team-mate Hernan Crespo.