Eidur Gudjohnsen

Sporting Life Harry Redknapp insists he did not steal Eidur Gudjohnsen from under the noses of West Ham.

The Tottenham manager claims he was prepared to let a deal fall through rather than let 31-year-old Gudjohnsen fall out with Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola.

Gudjohnsen, who Redknapp confirmed has joined Tottenham on loan until the end of the season, had got as far as a medical at Upton Park when Redknapp rang him, but the Tottenham boss maintains Spurs had been chasing the Monaco star before co-chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold completed their takeover at West Ham.

Redknapp said: "He's joined us and he's a player we've always admired. He's a player we have been chasing for a couple of weeks.

"West Ham came in but before the takeover we were hot on the trail of Eidur and had contact with his people.

"He can play several positions. He's a fantastic footballer, a clever footballer.

"It was his decision. I rang him. I left a message saying 'Eidur, if you are down the road with West Ham, Zola and Steve Clarke are friends of yours. Don't fall out with them.'I get on great with David Sullivan and I don't want any hassle with him either.

"But he (Eidur) came back and said 'It's my choice. I want to come to Tottenham.'

"He can play several positions. He had a great spell in midfield with Chelsea. He gives you options with your system. You don't play at Barcelona and in the Champions League unless you are a top player."

The Gudjohnsen deal could be the first in a flurry of late transfer window activity at White Hart Lane.