Redknapp waiting on Becks news

Harry Redknapp has admitted he is trying to sign David Beckham without having seen him play for Los Angeles Galaxy.

Redknapp was today waiting to hear whether Beckham would be given permission to move to White Hart Lane on loan until the Major League Soccer season starts in March.

The Spurs boss has also refused to rule out buying the former England captain if he proves a huge hit in north London.

Since revealing he was trying to sign Beckham on Friday – a u-turn on his previous position – Redknapp has repeatedly insisted the decision was a footballing one.

However, he said: “I haven’t been to America to watch him play.

“But it’s not like when I was at Bournemouth and we took George Best.

“We’re not trying to fill the stadium, are we? You can’t get a seat here anyway.

“I just genuinely feel he could come here and do a good job for us.

“When you’re looking to hit Crouchy (Peter Crouch), if you’re looking for someone to drop a ball on his head from set plays, free kicks, corners, there’s no-one better in the world.”

Explaining how he learnt of Beckham’s interest, Redknapp said: “He spoke to my son, to Jamie, about it and that’s how it all came about.

“Jamie rang me, said he’d spoken to David Beckham and would we be interested because he’d love to come and play at Tottenham.

“He just said, ’I’d like to come back and play and I’d fancy playing for Tottenham, because I like the way they play’.”

Despite Beckham’s roots being in north London, Spurs reportedly face stiff competition for his signature.

Redknapp joked: “We’re 1-100 – he only wants to play for Tottenham ever since he was a young boy.

“His grandpa was a Spurs supporter. One of us!”

The Galaxy may be reluctant to allow Beckham to move after the midfielder suffered a serious Achilles injury while on a similar loan at AC Milan last year.

That was the second of two spells the midfielder spent at the San Siro, during which he admitted being tempted at the prospect of a permanent move.

Asked whether Spurs might launch such a bid were the 35-year-old to star during a loan spell, Redknapp said: “No. No, no, no – it depends how he goes.”

The Spurs boss certainly has a track record of getting the best out of ageing players.

“I just get feelings for people,” he said.

“I brought William Gallas here and everybody said, ’You’re effing mad! What are you bringing him here for?’ – and how good has he been? What a player!

“I took Kanu (to Portsmouth) six years ago. People who are supposed to know said, ’He’s finished, he’s had it,’ and he’s still playing there now.

“He scored in the semi-final and the final of the FA Cup for me.”