Redknapp eyes van Nistelrooy

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-01-21 09:58

LONDOD: Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp said on Tuesday he was pondering bringing Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy (pictured) back to the Premier League in a loan move.

The 33-year-old former Manchester United forward is struggling to get into Real's first team and his lack of match prastie is threatening his chances of making the Dutch squad for this year's World Cup finals in South Africa.

However, it would appear Russia striker Roman Pavlyuchenko would have to leave Spurs to make room for van Nistelrooy, who was most recently linked with Turkish giants Galatasaray and whom he declared an interest in joining.

"It's interesting but it depends what the deal is," said Redknapp on Tuesday of the possibility of van Nistelrooy coming to White Hart Lane.

"The chairman would deal with that side but he's an interesting player. He was fantastic in England and a great goalscorer.

"If he was available it could be of interest. It's not impossible ... if it was right we could be interested," said Redknapp ahead of the team's league match against Liverpool.

On the subject of Pavlyuchenko, Redknapp said: "Pav is looking to move. He was tremendous in training this morning. Only if someone came in and it was a good offer though, otherwise it would not be possible."

Pavlyuchenko's chances of a move have dimmed of late with Spartak Moscow refusing to pay 15 million pounds ($24 million)and Zenit St Petersburg have cooled on the idea of taking the forward on loan.

Meanwhile, Redknapp denied he'd made an approach to Manchester United for goalkeeper Ben Foster.

"As for Foster, I never made any offer whatsoever. Ben's a good keeper but I'm looking for back-up. Foster and David James (the Portsmouth goalkeeper who has been linked with Spurs) want to go to World Cup - not sit on the bench as a No 2."

AFP