Kranjcar set to lead double Spurs swoop
TOTTENHAM boss Harry Redknapp looks set to turn to Portsmouth’s Niko Kranjcar to front an exciting double deadline day swoop at White Hart Lane today.
Redknapp has lined up a move for the unsettled midfielder as a replacement for fellow Croatian Luka Modric, who faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after breaking his leg in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Birmingham.
And Redknapp also has his sights set on Manchester City winger Martin Petrov, who has been edged out at Eastlands following a number of high-profile additions.
Indeed, some reports suggest Bulgarian Petrov could be brought in as part of a swap deal which would see David Bentley join the City revolution and team up with his former boss at Blackburn, Mark Hughes.
Of the two, the Kranjcar deal looks the more advanced ahead of today’s 5pm deadline but Redknapp has been quick to play down speculation that Kranjcar may be joined by England goalkeeper David James, who is also thought to be keen on joining the Fratton Park exodus.
Kranjcar’s future has been the subject of much speculation this summer with the 25-year-old reportedly unhappy with the number of big-name departures.
Redknapp brought Kranjcar to Portsmouth for £3.5m from Hadjuk Split in August 2006 and remains an admirer of the classy midfielder, who has 47 caps for his country.
New Portsmouth owner Sulaiman al Fahim will be holding out for at least £5m for Kranjcar, but Redknapp is confident he can get his man for as little as half that amount.
Kranjcar’s departure looks set to spark a busy day of deadline day activity on the south coast with boss Paul Hart himself looking to bring in some fresh blood following a poor start to the Premier League.
Pompey last night had a £3m bid for former Wigan striker Amr Zaki rejected by Zamalek, who insist the Egyptian is not for sale, although Hart is in talks with Manchester City defender Tal Ben Haim.