Tottenham Transfer News: Redknapp Gunning For Playmaker and Defender

Tottenham have begun their January transfer efforts according to multiple reports, that claim Harry Redknapp is in talks with Brazilian playmaker Ganso over a possible deal.

Sources at Goal.com have placed Ganso's agent in London, with Teodoro Fonseca currently meeting with Spurs officials to discuss how much they would be willing to offer for the Santos star.

Harry Redknapp claimed in the last month that he had never heard of Ganso, and it was believed that Manchester United might make a move for the 22 year old.

But now sources at Tottenham have told the website that Redknapp was merely attempting to draw a curtain over the negotiations, and is planning on bringing the star on board either before the month's end or in the summer.

"Harry said he'd never heard of Ganso but he's a player that's been on the radar for the last year and there's a deal to be done if we want it," the source said. "It will probably be looked at in the summer."

Meanwhile, Redknapp looks to have a hard time in his mission to sign Chris Samba, with Steve Kean admitting that bids have been made for the defender over the past week but Blackburn have turned them down.

Samba claimed to L'Equipe yesterday that he wanted to leave Rovers in search of another club that could offer more 'ambition', but Kean still insists he wants to hold on to their top player, as Tottenham and QPR both circle.

"I know there has been an article in L'Equipe, but I haven't seen it myself," Kean said.

"All I can say is that I have been told that Chris has done an interview. What is definite is that there were two bids from one club which were refused.

"We put out a club statement which was quite strong, saying that Chris was not for sale and as far as I am concerned, there is a line drawn under it.'

"You would have to ask Chris what he thinks, in terms of whether promises have been broken in his opinion and what they were.

"All I can say is that he has been excellent when he has played, he is a big player for us and he is not long in to a very long contract, so I hope that he stays here."

Samba had claimed at the start of last year that he wanted to leave Blackburn, but the 27 year old did a U-turn within a month and signed a new contract in February. But now, he claims that promises made to him by owners Venkys haven't been kept, and he is desperate to make a move elsewhere.

Redknapp has admitted to admiring both Samba and Gary Cahill for the centre back position, but Cahill is currently close to a deal with Chelsea. And after a successful summer transfer window, in which the Tottenham manager signed Emanuel Adebayor, Soctt Parker and Brad Friedel, Redknapp is hoping to build on his squad once more as Spurs present a serious title challenge to Manchester United and Manchester City.

Harry's two targets - Ganso:

Chris Samba: