Tottenham’s Redknapp says Beckham move ‘no-goer’

Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp admitted yesterday his attempt to sign David Beckham on-loan was a ‘no-goer’ as the club said the former England captain would train, but not play, with the Premier League side.

Tottenham were one of several English clubs interested in signing the former England captain for a stint before he starts playing for the LA Galaxy again when the new Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States begins in March.

But Redknapp, speaking to Sky News ahead of Spurs’ third round FA Cup tie against Charlton, said: “I don’t think it’s going to happen, I think there are problems with the insurance... it looks like a no-goer.

“It couldn’t happen so, not a problem, we’ll just get on with it.”

Redknapp added the move had foundered due to problems over an insurance fee, which Galaxy demanded after Beckham suffered an Achilles injury during his last spell on loan in Europe with Milan.

Beckham, capped 115 times by England, had reportedly been interested in playing in the Premier League again in a bid to revive his flagging international career.

A Tottenham statement, released after Redknapp had spoken to Sky, said Beckham, who made his name at Manchester United, would train, but not play, for Spurs for a month.

Redknapp had said on Friday that a loan move for the 35-year-old Beckham was “90 per cent done”.

Yesterday, he insisted Beckham could have a positive influence on his high-flying squad, currently fourth in the Premier League.

“We’d love to have him here for longer but respect his commitments to LA Galaxy.

“They wanted him back in early February so that made it difficult to do a playing deal on the basis of three weeks.”

Beckham, who has previously trained with Tottenham’s north London rivals Arsenal, told Spurs’ official website: “It’s important that I maintain a high level of fitness during the MLS off season.

“I’m thankful to Tottenham and Harry Redknapp for giving me the opportunity to train with the team.

“I’m grateful to the LA Galaxy for allowing me to train with Spurs. I look forward to getting to work as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile, Beckham and his wife Victoria are expecting their fourth child this summer, a spokeswoman said yesterday.