Tottenham optimistic of David Beckham deal
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Your support makes all the difference.David Beckham could complete his move to Tottenham in the next 36 hours after Harry Redknapp revealed negotiations about a two-month loan for the former England captain were progressing well.
Spurs and Beckham's parent club, the LA Galaxy, have been locked in talks for almost a week after Redknapp revealed Beckham had approached his son, Jamie, about the possibility of a short-term deal during the MLS close season.
Those talks looked to have hit an impasse earlier this week when Redknapp said the chances of a deal for the former Manchester United man were "50-50" amid suggestions that the Galaxy were reluctant to release their 35-year-old star.
The Tottenham boss was in a much more confident mood about the move today though, insisting there was a "good chance" an eight-week loan deal could be completed.
Redknapp said Beckham, who trained with Spurs as a youngster before signing for Manchester United, could complete his deal by Sunday - allowing the midfielder to watch the club's FA Cup third-round tie with Charlton from the stands.
"They (the two clubs) have been talking, the chairman is dealing with that and there is a good chance it could happen," Redknapp said.
"There isn't too much to sort out. It's just a case of sorting out the length of the loan and one or two bits and pieces.
"It started to look as though it wasn't going to happen. It wasn't going to happen.
"(But) he could be here on Sunday, if what I'm being told on the grapevine is right.
"If he's in the country he will come to the game against Charlton, I'm sure."
Beckham is convinced that Spurs are the team he wants to join in a bid to prove to England manager Fabio Capello that he deserves a chance to add to his 115-cap tally.
Despite entering the twilight of his career, Redknapp is adamant Beckham's arrival would improve his squad as they look to consolidate their position in the top four of the Barclays Premier League over the next two months.
Redknapp thinks Beckham's crossing ability would give Spurs a better chance of hitting target man Peter Crouch - something he believes was lacking in Wednesday's 2-1 defeat to Everton.
"I still think he has something to offer as a player," Redknapp said.
"He could lift the level of performance of the other players. He will be a good influence about the place.
"Sometimes people of that stature can be massive players. He has the ability to do some of the things we don't do well.
"The other night (against Everton), Alan Hutton hit Peter Crouch with a great ball, he headed it down and Rafael van der Vaart scored.
"Other than that he didn't get too many opportunities because we didn't put the ball where we should be putting it for him.
"David Beckham has the ability to drop the ball into him 19 times out of 20 - and that's important."
January is expected to be a busy month for Redknapp, with David Bentley, Robbie Keane, Niko Kranjcar, Vedran Corluka, Giovani dos Santos and Jamie O'Hara all linked with moves away from the club.
Andy Carroll is the person who has been most heavily linked with a move to the Londoners but Redknapp dismissed suggestions he made an enquiry about the Newcastle striker's availability.
"I have never discussed it with (Newcastle manager) Alan Pardew," Redknapp said.
"Alan doesn't want to sell him as far as I know so that's the end of that one."
Striker Keane, who has made just two starts this season, has been in talks with Birmingham over a transfer, but Redknapp insists he is in no rush to see the back of the Republic of Ireland striker.
One man who will definitely leave, according to Redknapp, is David Bentley, who has been the subject of several bids - one of which is thought to be from Newcastle.
"David Bentley will go on loan because he wants to play. He is frustrated at the moment," said Redknapp.
"The chairman is dealing with it. I suppose it depends on whether we get a good deal for the club."
However, Redknapp is not willing to sell full-back Corluka, who is said to be on Liverpool's radar.
"He (Corluka) is very much part of my plans here," he said. "He is certainly not available on loan."
Spurs this afternoon announced the signing of South Africa defender Bongani Khumalo from Supersport United on a four-and-a-half year deal.
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