With no imminent closure to the Stewart Downing transfer saga likely, Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp has apparently turned his attentions elsewhere.

 

Lille’s £9M rated midfielder Michel Bastos has been linked with a move to the premier League for some time and Liverpool along with Manchester City have been admirers of the man currently reported to be in pole position to win the French Player of the Year award. The 25- year old reputedly has the hardest shot in the league and it is no wonder that his form has been monitored in England and in Germany where Bayern Munich have also joined the list of potential new employers.

Bastos himself has pledged his allegiance to Lille, at least until the end of the season and has expressed his desire to help the club secure Champions League football next season. However, he covered his options by saying "I am relaxed about all the talks. I have been playing well, so there will always be clubs interested if you do well. But the thought of moving now is not in my head. I would love to continue here …but you never know at the end of the season."