Redknapp: Defoe is not for sale

Harry Redknapp has issued a hands-off warning to any potential suitors for Jermain Defoe this month.

The future of the 29-year-old had looked in doubt when it emerged on Friday that his agent had complained about a lack of first-team action for the England international at Tottenham.

Defoe has reportedly been encouraged by his agent to force a move to another team but Redknapp moved to quash those rumours.

“His agent told Daniel Levy (the Spurs chairman) that he is not happy because he wants to play and he has got a few clubs in for him,” Redknapp said.

“I am sure he has, but we are not selling him.”

Redknapp also said Defoe had become frustrated at not getting as much game time as he would like but also ruled out the possibility of a loan deal.

“He gets disappointed. We want to keep him. I would not consider letting him out on loan. He is a big player for us.”

Defoe had to watch from the bench again on Wednesday as Tottenham moved to within three points of league leaders Manchester City with a 2-0 win over Everton.

Redknapp claimed, however, that it was a tough decision not to rest Rafael van der Vaart and draft in Defoe after his goalscoring exploits against Cheltenham last Saturday.

“He was unlucky the other night (against Everton at White Hart Lane),” Redknapp said.

“We had two games this week but I went with Rafa. Jermain wants to play in the Euros but so does Rafael, who wants to play for Holland.”

Redknapp also added that he believes it is just an agent’s job to try and make money out of a player.

“The new one (Defoe’s new agent) is ringing up and ‘blah blah.’ They make their money by shifting him.”

“They take whatever they take and that’s how it all works. They want to do a deal. They have to sell somebody.”