Redknapp Admits Cole Deal Unlikely
Posted on 21. Jun, 2010 by admin in Football
Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has revealed that he fears England midfielder Joe Cole has already agreed a deal to join another club and that a move to Spurs is unlikely.
Cole was released by Chelsea at the beginning of the summer along with German international Michael Ballack and has been linked with many clubs, including Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Real Madrid but the rumour linking him with a move to Spurs to team up with former mentor Redknapp has refused to go away.
Redknapp managed West Ham when Cole was a youngster and helped launch the playmaker’s career by giving him a chance in the first team at just 17 years old and turning Cole into a teenage superstar.
With Spurs qualifying for the Champions League last season, the North London club will surely be able to sign top players this season, something they have been unable to do for a long time now.
These factors have led to Cole, who has been in the news a lot recently due to the call from John Terry for him to be named in the England starting XI for the match against Slovenia, being reportedly interested in signing for Spurs.
Redknapp, though, has admitted that this is unlikely and the former Bournemouth and Portsmouth boss has stated that he has a feeling that Cole has already put a deal in place to join Sir AleX Ferguson’s men at Manchester United.
“I’ve got a feeling that it might have been done (for Cole to join United),” he said.
“It wouldn’t surprise me in the least. Joe’s not wanted to speak to anybody and his people have been saying ‘let’s get the World Cup out of the way first’.
“But we’d be interested for sure. I like Joe.”
Spurs are set to compete in the European cup for the first time since 1962 this coming season and although they will be by no means among the favourites, their fans will be dreaming about emulating their performance in that tournament and reaching the semi finals.
Spurs are 66/1 with Coral to win the Champions League, with bwin offering 50/1 odds and Paddy Power 40/1.