Redknapp sets sights on versatile Kranjcar

TOTTENHAM boss Harry Redknapp is set for more deadline-day action and has turned to Portsmouth’s Niko Kranjcar to bolster his squad at White Hart Lane.

Redknapp is looking for cover on the left flank following Luka Modric’s injury and Jamie O’Hara’s loan to Portsmouth, with Kranjcar able to operate across the midfield.

The Spurs manager has also previously worked with Kranjcar at Fratton Park and speaks highly of all the Croatia internationals he has managed.

“Modric is a great lad and so is the other boy, (Vedran) Corluka,” Redknapp said. “I have found all the Croatia boys are like that, of the same type.

“They are lovely characters. Slaven Bilic and Igor Stimac were the same, Niko Kranjcar the same, as was Robert Prosinecki, who was an incredible player.”

Redknapp was in the market for a defensive midfielder earlier in the summer when he looked at Patrick Vieira, although he is also a fan of Vieira’s Inter Milan team-mate Sulley Muntari after working with him at Portsmouth.

Redknapp is looking for a goalkeeper following Heurelho Gomes’ injury – but Sulaiman Al Fahim is desperate for England goalkeeper David James to stay at Fratton Park.

Al Fahim, who has agreed to buy Portsmouth from Alexandre Gaydamak, was present at the weekend for the home defeat to Manchester City when James was ruled out through injury.

“We don’t need to sell players,” Al Fahim insisted. “(Sylvain) Distin leaving was disappointing. We would like David James to stay at the club.”

Portsmouth are looking to strengthen before the deadline and could move for Slovakia defender Jan Durica from Lokomotiv Moscow or Algeria midfielder Hadj Aissa from Saudi Arabia side Al-Ittifaq.

Al Fahim has previously suggested he would move for Amr Zaki from Zamalek, although the Egyptian side want the former Wigan striker to stay with them until at least January.

At Manchester City, Republic of Ireland star Richard Dunne is expected to join Aston Villa and Benjani Mwaruwari has seen a move to Hull collapse.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has also ruled out the possibility of City’s Robinho joining the Spanish giants.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce got his man when he completed the signing of Hull defender Michael Turner.

The 25-year-old has joined the Black Cats for an undisclosed fee and has signed a four-year deal. Wigan’s Maynor Figueroa is also thought to be on Bruce’s list.

Turner’s arrival could mean Danny Collins moving. Collins has held talks with Stoke but is also being chased by Wolves boss Mick McCarthy, who has signed Ecuador midfielder Segundo Castillo on a season-long loan from Red Star Belgrade and Austria striker Stefan Maierhofer from Rapid Vienna.

Meanwhile, Sunderland are still awaiting developments on Ipswich boss Roy Keane’s swoop for midfield duo Grant Leadbitter and Carlos Edwards. The clubs have agreed fees, but the transfer is being held up by personal terms.

Hull striker Daniel Cousin could be on his way to Barclays Premier League rivals Burnley after claims an approach for a loan deal has been made.