Redknapp Rules out Benzema Move but Players Must be Sold

A January transfer move for Karim Benzema has been ruled out by Harry Redknapp, while he also said that he will have to sell some of his players in order to purchase any improvements for his squad.

When asked about a possible move for the Frenchman, Redknapp said:

“There’s nothing in that,"

"He’s a good player, I like him, he looks a real talent. But certainly we haven’t made any enquires at all for him. There’s definitely nothing going on there at the moment."

“Before we can bring anyone in, I’ve spoke with the chairman, we need to shift one or two.

"It’s going to be a case of the only way we can do any business would be to let one or two go and whatever we get in we can go and invest.”

He hasn't ruled a move completely; by saying there is "nothing going on there at the moment" he was hinting that a move for him could be a possibility - maybe in the summer. Redknapp knows that Benzema would be cup tied in the Champions League, having played for Real Madrid, and as a competition that Tottenham are aspiring to do well in, they need their big name players. Benzema would be one of them.

If Tottenham were to invest in a new striker in January, they would most probably look closer to home, at a lower Pemier League team. Andy Carroll of Newcastle has been tipped as a possibility.

As for these players that Redknapp will have to let go, and Croatian play maker Niko Kranjcar has been rumoured to want out of White Hart Lane, seeking first team football. Liverpool were rumoured to be interestd for £7 million, while Italians Juventus are also interested.

After guiding his team to an inspired comeback against rivals Arsenal at the week end, Harry Redknapp is leading Tottenham in the right direction. He believes that his team can win the title this year, and the addition of top players that a Champions League team that they now are can attract, Tottenham are looking good for the future.

£7 million Play Maker to Liverpool?

lAs was previously reported on HERE, Gareth Bale, Luka Modric, Aaron Lennon and new fan favourite Rafael van der Vaart may be forcing Niko Kranjcar out of Tottenham.

The 26 year old has started just one Premier League match this season which was in the weekend defeat at Bolton, and as he was hauled off at half time for fellow bench warmer David Bentley, it seems Redknapp is unimpressed with the former Portsmouth play maker.
Now, the players father has said that interest from Liverpool would certainly sway the Croatians head, and force him to make a decision on his future away from White Hart Lane.

"If he didn’t have ambition, he would stay at Tottenham and vegetate for the next three years”

“He has a great deal, but one just can’t match money with his ambitions.

“Niko would like to stay in London, but he is also ready to leave England if he could move to Serie A.

“Liverpool is a club which would interest him but, then again, why not Italy?”

Liverpool seem to lack the creativity and flare that Kranjcar could inject, and for only around £7 million, Hodgson would be wise to make a move soon so his team can continue their revival after beating Premier League Champions on Sunday.

Van Der Vaart, Modric, Bale and Lennon force out Kranjcar at Tottenham

When they qualified for the Champions League last season, it was questioned whether Tottenham would have the strength in depth and enough fit and willing players to play twice in a week. Those doubts didn't last for long, however, because they added just the right amount of quality to their already strong team.

They were able to spend a relatively small amount of £14 million in the summer transfer market, bringing in free agent William Gallas, defensive midfielder Sandro from Internacional for £6m, Stipe Pletikosa on loan from Spartak Moscow and the so far brilliant Rafael van der Vaart for £8m from Real Madrid.

Another important factor for Tottenham during the summer was that they weren't forced into selling any of their top players; Gareth Bale was rumoured to have interested a couple of big teams including Manchester United, but he instead extended his Totenham contract. Luka Modric too. The Croatian is extremely highly rated at White Hart Lane, and for good reason, so interest from other clubs was inevitable, but Tottenham held on the their star man.

However, with the arrival of the crowd pleaser and Tottenham fan favourite, Rafael Van Der Vaart at Spurs, as well as the brilliant form of Gareth Bale, and Modric and Lennon guaranteed a start, that leaves no room for Niko Kranjcar. The Croatian hasn't started a game for Tottenham so far this season, and it has been rumoured that if this continues, he will seek a new club - with possible suiters already interested.

Monaco, as well as two Premier League clubs are said to be interested with the creative playmaker, with Liverpool and Aston Villa rumoured to be the two English clubs.

Gerrard Houllier will of course be looking to build on the squad he inherited recently, and the 26-year-old could be the perfect player to add some more creativity and flare to the Villa line up, after losing James Milner to Manchester City in the summer. But if they are to purchase the Spurs midfielder, they will have to find around £8 million - about four times what Tottenham paid for him in 2009.

At the moment, Liverpool are having trouble keeping their heads above the water in the Premier League, and with their debt ravaged American owners hoping to sell, they may find it hard to find £8 million to pay Tottenham.

With Van Der Vaart, Modric, Bale and Lennon all doing so well in the Tottenham midfield, it seems inevitable that Kranjcar will have to find a new club soon, as sitting on the bench may become an unwelcomed routine for the attacking midfielder. Is Tottenhams midfield so full of quality that they are having to let go of some of it? It can only be a good sign when you are letting good players go because they can't get into the team.