Striker a priority for Harry

Redknapp: Targeting a new striker but does not think Spurs can afford Forlan

Harry Redknapp has revealed he hopes to bolster his attacking options in the summer after being disappointed with the form of his strikers this season.

Tottenham may have enjoyed a long run in the UEFA Champions League this term but hopes are fading of another top-four finish in the Premier League after a poor run.

The likes of Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch and Roman Pavlyuchenko have struggled for goals, notching just 15 between them in the league.

Redknapp expects better next season but still recognises that he will have to bring in somebody else.

“We’re looking for strikers, not £35million ones, they’re hard to find because everyone’s looking for them. “
Harry Redknapp Quotes of the week

“It’s been one of those years,” said the Spurs manager. “Normally Defoe would have had 18 goals by now. He hasn’t got them this year, Crouchy hasn’t scored many, he’s scored his goals in Europe. We’re still in it without the frontmen having scored the goals they should have done.”

Redknapp sought to remedy his side’s goalscoring problems with club-record bids for Diego Forlan, Giuseppe Rossi and Sergio Aguero in January, but none of the trio arrived, thanks mainly due to their wage demands.

No Forlan move

Redknapp admits that hurdle could be hard to overcome once the transfer window opens, but he is still committed to signing a proven striker who can guarantee him 15-20 goals a season.

“I’d like to get another frontman if I can,” he said.

“They’re difficult to find though. We went for Rossi last year and he was suddenly £35million.

“We’re looking for strikers, not £35million ones, they’re hard to find because everyone’s looking for them.

“It would be up to the chairman (in terms of the cost). But we’ve been chasing all around the world, looking for people. They all cost big money.”

Forlan recently indicated that he would be open to offers but Redknapp insists there is little chance of Tottenham going back in for the Atletico Madrid marksman.

“We can’t afford him. He’s on about £120k a week or something,” Redknapp said.

“If you work it out on a two or three-year contract, you’re talking about £28million and there’s no return on your money.”