Seems unlikely but apparently Harry is considering a very strange swap deal which involves allowing a talented player to leave White Hart Lane in a deal that would see a lesser player take his place?

Get Tottenham Tickets at Fantastic Prices Now!

We’ve been nominated for a shiny award, please VOTE FOR US!

Sports News - January 21, 2010

A report in the News of the World this morning claims that Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has offered Robbie Keane to West Ham in “a bid to lure” Carlton Cole to Tottenham.

Spurs were linked with a move for Cole in the summer transfer window and Redknapp will reportedly bid again for the West Ham hitman before the close of the January transfer window.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is believed to be willing to sell Keane as he has struggled for goals in recent months and West Ham are now on the lookout for two new strikers following the takeover of the club by David Sullivan and David Gold.

Keane’s departure from White Hart Lane has been hastened as Spurs have failed to receive big bids for unhappy Russian striker Roman Pavlyuchenko.

Sunderland, Aston Villa and Celtic are also interested in Keane and West Ham would be aiming to pair Keane and Cole up front together in their bid to stave off relegation from the Premier League.

Robbie Keane has scored six goals in 18 appearances for Tottenham this season in the Premier League.

Carlton Cole has been out with a knee injury since November, he had scored seven goals in 13 appearances for West Ham in 2009/2010. (IMScouting)

My first reaction when hearing the speculation about this potential swap was “Is this a joke?” followed swiftly afterwards by “am I still drunk?”. Can anyone explain why a) we would be interested in signing West Ham striker Carlton Cole? and b) why we would consider doing so by giving the Hammers Robbie Keane? It makes no sense whatsoever.

Don’t get me wrong, Carlton Cole is a far better player than he was 18 months ago when scoring goals was a big problem for the lad but I reckon that all four of our frontmen are a country mile ahead of the England International and therefore any move for the Upton Park man would be bizarre to say the least. I know that Harry has his West Ham connections but I really do not see there being any chance whatsoever in him moving to White Hart Lane.

TOM Huddlestone goes into the last six games of the season uncertain of his long-term future at the Lane.

The big midfielder, one of three young players recently endorsed by Fabio Capello as being part of his future England plans, made only his 11th start of the season in Saturday’s 1-0 win over West Ham at the Lane.

And Huddlestone only played against the Hammers because Wilson Palacios was suspended. It was his first Premier League start for almost four months.

“It has been very frustrating,” Huddlestone told Wood&Vale Sport. “The last league game I started was on Boxing Day. Every player just wants to play in every single game and I’m no different, so it has been very frustrating.

“I’m 23 years old this year. I’m not young any more. I think I’ve played something like 220 games now and I need to be playing week in week out.

“It is out of my hands, I guess. I just want to be playing, hopefully at Tottenham, but if not I will have to have a think. When [Juande] Ramos was in charge I think I played one game out of the first 13, so obviously you’ve got to look at things. But as long as I’m at Tottenham I’ve just got to give 100 per cent and try to win as many games as possible.” (Hampstead and Highgate Express)

I can understand where “The Hudd” is coming from on this point but clearly Harry is mixing it up a little at present and trying to find space for all his talented squad members and since Luka Modric returned from injury Redknapp has found it hard to consider dropping an in form Niko Kranjcar. In a way its a shame as Huddlestone started the season very well indeed but may just have to bide his time.

Oh and in case your wondering we have once again been linked with a move for Klaas Jan Huntelaar, don’t see it happening myself, at least not this month. AC Milan only signed the Dutchman in the summer so can’t see them offloading him especially as the Serie A side are bang in form and hoping for success on multiple fronts and will therefore not be looking to slim down their squad.

WHL Frank

Join Our Facebook Fan Page for the Latest News/Rumours/Forums/Videos/WAGS/Funny Stuff/Features!

Don’t forget to check out Online Football Manager!