Redknapp eyes Palacios - and Bellamy

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is closing in on the signing of Wilson Palacios, and has been told Craig Bellamy wants to join him from West Ham.

Palacios has continued to train with Wigan - but a move away from the JJB Stadium to Spurs has been agreed, with the deal worth around £14million.

"He's a good player," said Redknapp.
"The chairman is dealing with it - he's talking to Wigan. I've spoken to him and he was pretty close to doing a deal."

The deal will represent a huge profit for Wigan, who signed the midfielder for £1million from Birmingham.

Latics boss Steve Bruce, who originally brought the Honduran to the Barclays Premier League, said: "It's an unbelievable success story. Wilson was in Honduras 18 months ago.

"We brought him over (to Birmingham) for relative buttons, and to be on the brink of joining a club like Tottenham must be exciting for him.

"It is a little bit daunting for Wilson. But the one thing about him, when he goes on the football pitch he won't be daunted."

Redknapp will also be encouraged by Bellamy telling West Ham he wants to leave for White Hart Lane, although the Wales forward's club have refused him permission to talk to Spurs - after turning down a £12million bid.

The Hammers, who previously turned down bids from Manchester City, have also offered the 29-year-old a fresh contract in their attempt to keep the player they signed from Liverpool.

"Someone has told me he wants to come here and play," said Redknapp.

"If we can do a deal, good."

Another striker Redknapp has been interested in is Sunderland's Kenwyne Jones, although Spurs will need to offer more than their previous £14million valuation to persuade his club to do business.

"The chairman made an offer for Kenwyne Jones. They don't want to sell him, so that is the end of that one," Redknapp accepts.

"There is nothing more you can do. He spoke to Niall Quinn. But they decided he is not for sale, and that is their decision."

A possible deal for Inter Milan's Adriano appears to receding.

Redknapp watched the Brazil international in Italy this week but insists there has been no approach for the striker, or team-mate Hernan Crespo.

He also denied wanting to get rid of players such as midfielder Jermaine Jenas, despite reports of interest from Inter boss Jose Mourinho.

"Jose has never told me he wanted him, and I don't want to sell him," said Redknapp.

"He's a very important player at this club.

"He has a calf strain at the moment. But when he is fit he one of the best midfielders in the country, and I don't want to lose him. I need him here.

"I've got no players here that I want to get rid of. We haven't got a large squad, and I need all the players."

Jenas will miss the match against Portsmouth this weekend when Redknapp faces the club he left less than three months ago. Spurs will also be without Benoit Assou-Ekotto, who is suspended.