Redknapp wants 'three fantastic players' at Spurs

Pa,Paul Hirst
Wednesday 08 June 2011 18:11 BST
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Redknapp has been scouring the globe for potential recruits
Redknapp has been scouring the globe for potential recruits (GETTY IMAGES)

Harry Redknapp has urged Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy to bring in the three top-quality players he feels he needs to mount a successful bid to bring Champions League football back to White Hart Lane.

Spurs enjoyed the glamour of hosting the likes of Real Madrid, Inter Milan and AC Milan in the Champions League last season, but their poor league form towards the end of the domestic campaign meant they could only qualify for the Europa League.

Redknapp has been scouring the globe for potential recruits and has highlighted an experienced leader and a free-scoring striker as his two priorities.

Veteran goalkeeper Brad Friedel has been the only arrival at White Hart Lane so far this summer, but the club have been linked with moves for Brazil striker Leandro Damiao, West Ham's Scott Parker and Fulham frontman Moussa Dembele.

The Spurs boss has lofty ambitions for Tottenham and hopes Levy will sanction three "fantastic" signings to help him take the club back among Europe's elite.

"I want Daniel to go out and get three fantastic players now to come in," Redknapp told Sky Sports News.

"You can't say that just because we didn't make the Champions League, we're not going to improve next year.

"If you do that then we're not going to get in it again. That's a fact, because you won't pass the teams that finished above you last year.

"If we don't improve then they will improve. Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal - they will improve, and Man City... they're unbelievable. They are never going to stop improving as will Kenny (Dalglish) with Liverpool now.

"You have to keep improving if you want to keep anywhere near those teams. I certainly feel we need three players of real quality if we are going to compete with those teams otherwise it will be very difficult."

At their peak last November, Redknapp was confident that Tottenham could challenge for the Barclays Premier League title, but a poor run of form towards the end of the season almost cost them the chance to play in Europe completely.

Although he fears that his rivals will all embark on spending sprees this summer, Redknapp insists that his team can make the top four next year and even challenge for the title.

"I don't see why it's not impossible to get into the Champions League again," the 64-year-old said.

"I've said I want to win the championship with Tottenham. I want to win the Premier League."

Spurs striker Peter Crouch has welcomed the signing of Friedel, who made it clear yesterday that he intends to dislodge Heurelho Gomes as the club's first-choice stopper.

"He (Friedel) is up there with the top few goalkeepers in the Premier League so he will be a great addition," Crouch said.

"I'm sure that the manager hasn't finished there. He will be wanting to strengthen our side and make sure we are right up there next year."

Redknapp later admitted that he was finding it hard to land players who he thinks would improve his current squad and also revealed that he had made an enquiry about Blackburn defender Phil Jones, who looks set to move to Manchester United.

"I was in for the boy Jones. We were interested in him, but he has gone to Manchester United apparently," Redknapp told talkSPORT.

"He's an amazing talent. It looks like one day he could be an England centre-half for many years to come.

"We're struggling at the moment to find players who are better than what we've got unless you pay massive money."

Redknapp is also looking to offload a number of squad players who are surplus to requirements.

The 64-year-old will consider offers for David Bentley, Robbie Keane, Niko Kranjcar, Giovani Dos Santos and could be tempted to sell other fringe players this summer.

"There are five or six players who are available at the club who are not playing but would do a good job in my opinion for someone," he added.

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