Redknapp says Beckham wants Spurs move

Posted on January 3, 2011 by SoccerPunter

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp says that David Beckham wants to move to White Hart Lane, as he prepares to step up his bid for the former Manchester United star.

Redknapp had confirmed his interest in Beckham on Friday and, speaking after Saturday’s 1-0 win over Fulham, he said the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder is ready to return to the Premier League on loan until the Major League Soccer season resumes in March.

Beckham, 35, had previously insisted United were the only English team he would play for but, with a return to Old Trafford unlikely, the former England captain is willing to join another club as he tries to prove his fitness to England coach Fabio Capello.

Redknapp has yet to speak personally to Beckham, but he has been informed of the player’s desire to move to the club where he trained as a schoolboy before joining United.

“He just said that he would like to come and play here at Tottenham,” Redknapp said.

The final decision over whether Beckham joins Tottenham lies with the Galaxy and Redknapp admitted the north London club need to move quickly to clinch the deal.

“We’d have to (move quickly),” Redknapp added. “I’ve left it to the people at the club. I’ve passed it on to them. They’re talking to whoever they have to talk to at his club.”

Beckham has spent the last two MLS close seasons on loan at AC Milan, partly in a bid to extend his England career, but injury ruled him out of last year’s World Cup.

With United, Beckham won the Premier League title six times and the 1999 Champions League title.

He won a Spanish league title with Real Madrid before joining LA Galaxy in 2007.

Although Beckham is in the twilight of his career, Redknapps believes his experience and crossing ability make him an ideal candidate to cover for right winger Aaron Lennon.

“We’ve got no-one else to play on the right,” Redknapp said. “David Bentley keeps picking up injuries on Friday morning. It’s a no-brainer.”

Redknapp’s admiration for Beckham was clear as he insisted the veteran could have played a key role in his side’s nervous win over Fulham.

“He could’ve come on when we were under pressure,” Redknapp said. “He might’ve kept the ball for us.

When I took Teddy Sheringham to Portsmouth, I used to just say, ‘Watch him train. Watch everything he does. He does it 100 per cent right.’

“And I think Beckham’s like that. They tell me after training, he spends an hour out there practising.

“If young players see that, it’s better than all the coaching in the world.”