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Premier League

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has denied his interest in striker Jermain Defoe is disrespectful to Portsmouth.

Redknapp is chasing both Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing, who has handed in a transfer request, and Defoe as he looks to bolster the Spurs squad in his first transfer window as their manager.

He concedes, though, that Boro and Pompey do not have to sell - and denies he has done anything wrong in his pursuit of the England striker.

Redknapp said: "The chairman (Daniel Levy) has dealt with it. He has gone in there and made an offer.

"I have not gone in for any other players at Portsmouth. I have not made any enquiries there.

"If they don't want to sell him they don't have to."

Middlesbrough branded Spurs' initial approach for Downing over the weekend 'derisory' but the winger has since put in a transfer request.

Redknapp continued on Sky Sports News: "The club made an offer and I know the chairman has made a big offer for him.

"But Middlesbrough are a good club and if the chairman (Steve Gibson) decides he doesn't want to sell him, that's his right to do that and that's the end of that one.

"We can only make an offer and it is up to the clubs if they want to accept it or not."

Redknapp is also unsure if Tottenham will be able to prise Defoe away from Fratton Park, and admits he may have to turn his focus elsewhere.

Defoe would be interested in linking up with Redknapp once again, but Levy and Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie have yet to agree on a fee.

"The chairman and Peter are talking so if they want to do a deal they will," explained Redknapp.

"But I don't know. I spoke to Daniel on Monday morning and there was no news so we will have a look at it and see what happens, see if there is anything else around."

Redknapp does admit he would keep Defoe at Portsmouth if he was still in charge at Fratton Park.

"I wouldn't have sold him if I was manager at Portsmouth and Tottenham came back in, I'd be keeping him.

"It's the same (with Stewart Downing), I wouldn't sell him if I didn't want to.

"If they want to leave, they have their reasons. If Defoe has got reasons why he wants to come back to Tottenham, fine."

Redknapp is desperate to bolster his squad for the second part of the season, with the first-leg clash against Burnley highlighting his problems.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Jermaine Jenas are suspended, while Tom Huddlestone's ankle injury and Darren Bent's groin problem mean they join Alan Hutton on the sidelines.

Skipper Ledley King could also rest his knee ahead of the Barclays Premier League clash against Wigan at the weekend, with Spurs desperately needing points to climb away from the relegation zone.

It means Fraizer Campbell and Roman Pavlyuchenko, Redknapp's only fit senior strikers, are set to start in attack.

"They performed well in their last match together and I was pleased with the partnership they struck up," Redknapp said. "They did well against Liverpool earlier in the competition as well."

Midfielder Hossam Ghaly is in contention for a place in the squad, despite the angry reaction from Spurs fans when he stripped off to come on as a substitute in the FA Cup win over Wigan. Redknapp was forced to bring on a different player instead.

Supporters remembered when he threw his shirt to the ground in his last appearance two seasons ago, after being brought off the bench and getting replaced again.

"I don't think he was being disrespectful to Tottenham. I've seen other players take their shirts off when they get taken off," Redknapp said.

"He was just was very annoyed at being brought on and then subbed. Who wouldn't be annoyed? That is as low as you can go.

"If you're supposed to have a smile on your face then you're in the wrong game. That was a rarity. People should forgive and forget - let's move on."

Against Burnley, Spurs want to avoid being the Coca-Cola Championship side's fourth top-flight scalp. The other teams have also been from London.

"They've done well," Redknapp said. "I watched them on Saturday against QPR and they are well organised and have experienced players.

"They've had a fantastic run - Chelsea, Fulham and Arsenal - so we won't be underestimating them."