Redknapp rules out Rio move

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has denied any interest in signing England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand.

Redknapp managed the defender while they were both at West Ham, but despite admiring the former England captain, he says he is not a player Spurs are looking to sign.

“I haven’t even thought about Rio to be honest,” the White Hart Lane chief told reporters.

“I signed him as a kid. I love Rio as a boy and a player, but it’s not something we have ever enquired about.”

“It’s going to be difficult for him to leave Man Utd, isn’t it?”

Redknapp has also been heavily linked with another bid for Bolton and England centre-half Gary Cahill, but says defence is not an area he is looking to strengthen after the return to fitness of Ledley King.

“I’m not looking to strengthen in defence, really. We are strong in defence. We have (Michael) Dawson, King, (William) Gallas, (Younes) Kaboul and (Sebastien) Bassong,” the ex-Portsmouth boss added.

“I went for Cahill because at the time I couldn’t see Ledley being fit and because William Gallas had a calf strain.”