Redknapp talks up cut-price Ba

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp said he could sign Newcastle striker Demba Ba for less than seven million pounds.

Redknapp said Ba has a release clause in his contract which means he is available for much less than the 15 million pound transfer fee being suggested.

Ba has been attracting interest from some of the Premier League’s top clubs having scored 15 goals in the first half of the season.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew said potential suitors will have to pay big money to lure away any of his key players, but Redknapp has released details of Ba’s release clause which would allow him to depart at a fraction of his true worth.

When initially asked if the clause was set around the 10m pounds mark, Redknapp replied: “I think you will find it is a lot less than that.”

Asked if it was as little as 7m pounds, the Spurs boss added: “Even less than that.”

Redknapp would not reveal whether Spurs want to bring in Ba as they look to bolster a strikeforce which could be depleted by the possible departures of Roman Pavlyuchenko and Jermain Defoe in January.

The north Londoners may, however, be forced into the market for a defender, after Redknapp revealed club captain Ledley King faces another significant spell on the sidelines after tearing his hamstring in training.

“Ledley did his hamstring in training on Friday,” the Spurs boss told reporters.

“He came out, had an easy jog and it went. The only options I have got are (Michael) Dawson, (Sebastien) Bassong and (Younes) Kaboul. There is no one else.”