Tottenham Hotspur are sweating on clearance for the signing of Rafael van der Vaart as the transfer window shut in unexpected drama.

Spurs were left sweating on clearance for the Real midfielder, who they were trying to sign for a cut-price £8million.

Manager Redknapp revealed he became aware of 27-year-old Van der Vaart's availability just two hours before the 6pm cut-off.

Redknapp claimed the Holland star had been due to join Bayern Munich for £18million but the move broke down on Monday.

He hopes he will be given good news by his chairman Daniel Levy, as he believes Van der Vaart would be a useful addition to his already star-studded squad.

"It's still dragging on. We are just waiting to see whether it's all gone through," Redknapp told Sky Sports News.

"We are waiting for clearance. The chairman is dealing with it and Darren Eales the secretary, there is nothing more I can do now."

Redknapp revealed he turned his attention to Van der Vaart, a man who graced this summer's World Cup final, once it became apparent that Real were prepared to part with him in a cut-price deal.

"I think he was going to Bayern Munich yesterday for about £18million, but suddenly it became an awful lot cheaper," added the Spurs chief.

"He is available now for about £8million. He is a quality player. He is a Dutch international and a great footballer.

"For that sort of money, he is a top player and he will improve us for sure. We have made the effort, whether we can pull it off or not we will have to see.

"I am hopeful. It could happen. It was a last-minute job. When I came in this morning it certainly wasn't something I was looking to do."

On the attributes Van der Vaart would bring to Tottenham, Redknapp said: "He is a great passer of the ball, he is a top footballer. He will join in here and play the way we like to play, he would be a big plus for us.

"He looked like he was going for £18million but then the fee came crashing down because the deadline got close. If the chairman can pull it off, I think he will have got a real bargain."

While Redknapp looks set to land one Dutchman, he insists he was never close to striking a deal with Liverpool for Ryan Babel.

He said: "We were interested in Ryan Babel. He has got pace, he is lighting quick and he was a player we made an enquiry for, but we never got that close."

Redknapp did, however, finally complete the signing of Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa on a season-long loan from Spartak Moscow.