Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp failed with a last minute bid to trump Portsmouth for their new loan signing Jermaine Pennant, the Liverpool winger.

The Guardian says Redknapp's move seemed ­surprising, given that the Spurs manager has two right-sided midfielders and is ­struggling to incorporate both Aaron Lennon and David Bentley in his starting line-up.

But he is ever open to possibility of players that he likes and with a question mark over Bentley's long-term future at White Hart Lane, he will not rule out another attempt to sign Pennant in the summer.