Redknapp open to Defoe return

Redknapp last week believed Defoe to be subject of a "massive offer" from elsewhere, but on Wednesday he suggested a deal could still be struck with Pompey boss Tony Adams and chief executive Peter Storrie.

Defoe is one player on what Redknapp describes as a "very short list" of January transfer targets, with the Spurs boss prepared to miss out if prices are inflated.

Of the Defoe deal, Redknapp said: "If the price is right and if Tony and Peter Storrie want to sell him and it's what we consider at our valuation and theirs, then fine.

"There are other options as well, I have a little list and if we don't get one we can move to another. If we can't get them then we won't be getting anyone."

Redknapp has already had an offer for Craig Bellamy turned down by West Ham and has also been sceptical over whether Middlesbrough would want to sell England winger Stewart Downing.

A striker, a left-sided midfielder and a reserve goalkeeper to cover for Heurelho Gomes are Redknapp's priorities.

He said: "I don't think we'll be splashing vast amounts, the chairman asked who I'd want if we could get them. If we can end up with a couple then great.

"You get agents calling up offering players and it would only cost you your job if you took them.

Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp admits a return to White Hart Lane for Jermain Defoe is a possibility if a fee can be agreed with Portsmouth.

"I know exactly what I want and it is a waste of time calling up for anyone else. I have a very short list of players that interest me and if we can get them then great."

Redknapp does not predict a huge amount of spending when the window opens next month, although he feels Manchester City's wealth will play a crucial role.

"Everyone thinks Man City are going to come in and pay way over the odds for everybody because of the money they've got, but I don't think they will," he said.

"Mark Hughes is a very clever manager, he might want the players but I don't think he'll sit back and let the owners pay vastly inflated fees for players he does not feel are worth that kind of money.

"I think that is the key, if a chairman hears Man City might be interested in one of their players they could say, 'Let's hang on and we could double our money'. I don't think that will happen, Mark is too shrewd for that."

Tottenham Hold Man Utd To A Draw

Manchester United could only manage a draw at White Hart Lane thanks to a stubborn tottenham side.

David Bentley's 25-yard volley forced a fine save from Edwin van der Sar, who also denied Aaron Lennon as Spurs had the better chances in the first half.

After the break, Cristiano Ronaldo had a goal disallowed when he was ruled to have handled the ball before scoring.

Rio Ferdinand and Ji-sung Park went close and Heurelho Gomes superbly saved Ryan Giggs' free-kick as Spurs held on.

United's next Premier League fixture is not until Boxing Day as they leave for Club World Cup duty in Japan on Sunday.

And despite a determined start, they missed the chance to close the gap on domestic front-runners Liverpool after the Reds' 2-2 draw with Hull earlier in the day.

Although the visitors dominated possession for the opening few minutes, there was a lack of pace and incisiveness in their approach play.

Instead it was Spurs who had the first serious attempt on goal when Bentley flipped the ball up with his right foot and cracked a 25-yard volley with his left, forcing Van der Sar into a smart save.

But the hosts suffered a blow three minutes later when Jonathan Woodgate was forced off with a back problem after an innocuous-looking challenge with Carlos Tevez.

On came Tom Huddlestone to play in midfield, with Didier Zokora moving to right back and Vedran Corluka replacing Woodgate at centre-back.

United quickly tried to test Spurs' right flank, with Ronaldo sending in a cross for Dimitar Berbatov, who could only loop a header into Heurelho Gomes's arms.

That was the story of Berbatov's return to White Hart Lane for the first since his acrimonious transfer, as he narrowly failed to silence the deafening boos that accompanied his every touch.

Redknapp praises 'terrific performance'

The Bulgarian was denied a certain goal when Gomes superbly diverted Ronaldo's low cross and was inches away from getting his head to John O'Shea's cross as United continued to attack down their left.

Tottenham also went close to breaking the deadlock, first when Aaron Lennon's low shot brought a fine save out of Edwin van der Sar and then when Luka Modric sent a diving header just off target.

United tried to step up the tempo after the break and Berbatov set off on a menacing run but was thwarted again when Michael Dawson nicked the ball away as he was about to shoot.

From the corner, Ronaldo controlled the ball and lashed home, but the goal was disallowed for a handball.

Phelan happy with a point at Spurs

The warning was there for Tottenham, who tried to hit back and Bentley tested Van der Sar with a well-struck free-kick.

However, it was only a brief respite for Spurs as they came under increasing pressure.

Gomes had to be alert to keep out Nemanja Vidic's shot and Ferdinand headed narrowly over as United pressed.

The Brazilian keeper, much criticised of late, was showing he can also hit the headlines for the right reasons and he brilliantly saved from Ji-Sung Park.

His finest save was to come late on, when he tipped substitute Giggs' free-kick on to the bar.

United do not now play until their trip to Stoke on Boxing Day because of their involvement in the Fifa Club World Championship.