Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp will attempt to bring former England captain David Beckham to White Hart Lane on loan from LA Galaxy in January. The Major League Soccer season restarts on 15 March, giving Redknapp hope of a temporary deal for the 35-year-old.
"We'll contact LA Galaxy to see if they will let him go and if David is up for a three-month deal, we will definitely be interested," said Redknapp.
Beckham had similar spells on loan at Italian club AC Milan in 2009 and 2010. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid wideman was born and raised in north London and trained at Tottenham before signing his first professional deal with the Red Devils. However, Beckham has not so far been tempted by offers of a return to England. The six-time Premier League champion turned down the chance to discuss a similar deal with Everton in November, stating that, as a Manchester United fan, such a move was "too close to home". He also denied any interest in a move to West Ham in July and turned down the chance to be reunited with former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson at Leicester in December.
Beckham had claimed that a loan move to Europe was unlikely in this off-season as he would prefer to focus on his fitness, having only returned to action in September after six months out with an Achilles tendon injury.
But Redknapp believes that this chance may have come at the right time for both Beckham and Spurs.
"I'm sure he can still do a great job at the top level, otherwise I wouldn't bother," he added. "He isn't going to come here and get big money - we aren't massive payers at this club. But he wants to come over here to the freezing cold and play football. Doesn't that tell you something about the boy that he lives in Los Angeles and might be a billionaire?"
Tottenham, who lie five points and four places off the top of the Premier League, would represent a chance for Beckham to prove he is still capable of performing at the top of club football. An offer from Spurs would include the chance for Beckham to take on former club AC Milan over two legs in the last 16 of the Champions League on 15 February and 9 March. Perhaps most enticingly, Beckham's chances of adding to his 115 international caps may be enhanced by a switch. England manager Fabio Capello, who last fielded Beckham in the 3-0 win over Belarus in October 2009, has urged him to return to Europe to prove his fitness. Redknapp continued: "I'm not saying he's going to come in and take Aaron Lennon's place but he would be a good option.
"I am sure Aaron would love to work with him, on his crossing and everything, and on his final ball. He would be a good influence around the place." The Spurs boss also brushed aside concerns about the intense media coverage that would accompany Beckham's return to the Premier League for the first time since departing for Real Madrid in 2003. "I don't think it would be a distraction. Once you're in here, the gates are shut," he stated.
"We'll contact LA Galaxy to see if they will let him go and if David is up for a three-month deal, we will definitely be interested," said Redknapp.
Beckham had similar spells on loan at Italian club AC Milan in 2009 and 2010. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid wideman was born and raised in north London and trained at Tottenham before signing his first professional deal with the Red Devils. However, Beckham has not so far been tempted by offers of a return to England. The six-time Premier League champion turned down the chance to discuss a similar deal with Everton in November, stating that, as a Manchester United fan, such a move was "too close to home". He also denied any interest in a move to West Ham in July and turned down the chance to be reunited with former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson at Leicester in December.
Beckham had claimed that a loan move to Europe was unlikely in this off-season as he would prefer to focus on his fitness, having only returned to action in September after six months out with an Achilles tendon injury.
But Redknapp believes that this chance may have come at the right time for both Beckham and Spurs.
"I'm sure he can still do a great job at the top level, otherwise I wouldn't bother," he added. "He isn't going to come here and get big money - we aren't massive payers at this club. But he wants to come over here to the freezing cold and play football. Doesn't that tell you something about the boy that he lives in Los Angeles and might be a billionaire?"
Tottenham, who lie five points and four places off the top of the Premier League, would represent a chance for Beckham to prove he is still capable of performing at the top of club football. An offer from Spurs would include the chance for Beckham to take on former club AC Milan over two legs in the last 16 of the Champions League on 15 February and 9 March. Perhaps most enticingly, Beckham's chances of adding to his 115 international caps may be enhanced by a switch. England manager Fabio Capello, who last fielded Beckham in the 3-0 win over Belarus in October 2009, has urged him to return to Europe to prove his fitness. Redknapp continued: "I'm not saying he's going to come in and take Aaron Lennon's place but he would be a good option.
"I am sure Aaron would love to work with him, on his crossing and everything, and on his final ball. He would be a good influence around the place." The Spurs boss also brushed aside concerns about the intense media coverage that would accompany Beckham's return to the Premier League for the first time since departing for Real Madrid in 2003. "I don't think it would be a distraction. Once you're in here, the gates are shut," he stated.
