Redknapp looks to MLS for January loans

 
8 December 2012

QPR manager Harry Redknapp plans to raid Major League Soccer for loan players in the January transfer window, with Los Angeles Galaxy striker Robbie Keane the top of his wish list.

Redknapp will next week meet QPR owner Tony Fernandes for the first time since he replaced Mark Hughes as R's boss a fortnight ago.

Conscious he has inherited a squad that has looked porous at the back and weak up front, Redknapp plans to impress upon the Malaysian businessman that he needs reinforcements to avoid taking the London club down to the npower Championship.

Redknapp is also aware, however, Fernandes has already pumped millions in to a largely unsuccessful project, and is likely therefore to limit his activity to loan deals.

Tim Cahill and Landon Donovan are keen to return to the Barclays Premier League during the American off-season, but the player who Redknapp is most interested in is Keane, who he signed for Spurs in 2009.

"The MLS market is one that we've got to look at," Redknapp said.

"Robbie's a good shout. He probably would be an interesting player.

"I haven't spoken to him yet no but he would be an interesting player. He's a good pro and he would be the ideal type to have around for sure because he would give us something."

Keane left Tottenham for the Galaxy last year, but returned to England and enjoyed a successful short-term loan spell at Aston Villa last January, scoring three times in seven games.

Chris Samba, who left Blackburn for Anzhi Makhachkala last summer, is another of Redknapp's targets, although he conceded a move for the centre-back was unlikely due to his astronomical wages at the Russian club.

Another more realistic option for Redknapp is Spurs winger David Bentley, whose loan deal with Russian club FC Rostov ends in January.

Although Bentley earned a place in Redknapp's bad books by soaking him live on television with a big bucket of water in 2010, the 65-year-old still holds the winger in high esteem.

Indeed Redknapp is so enthused at the prospect of being reunited with Bentley he accidentally called him David Beckham this afternoon.

"Yeah, he can play David Beckham," Redknapp said, before correcting himself.

"Bentley's a good player. It shows that he must have wanted to play football to go to Russia so credit to him.

"He could have stayed and took his money but he's gone out to Russia. Dave's a good footballer - I haven't had problems with him.

"He was unlucky at Tottenham because he had Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale (in front of him)."

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