Harry - Defoe not for sale

Harry Redknapp has dismissed speculation linking Jermain Defoe with a move away from Tottenham Hotspur.

Tottenham boss moves to play down striker exit talk

Harry Redknapp has dismissed speculation linking Jermain Defoe with a move away from Tottenham Hotspur. The England striker is known to be unsettled at White Hart Lane as he is increasingly concerned about his lack of first-team chances. From his 14 appearances in the league this season, half have been from the bench, and Defoe is not happy about it. Sky Sports also understands that Liverpool have joined the clutch of clubs monitoring his situation. And Defoe's switch to agent Struan Marshall has only enhanced the speculation that he could be an Anfield target - given his close links to the Merseyside giants. Marshall, who is Steven Gerrard's agent, also represents the likes of Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson - who both completed moves to Liverpool last summer. Newcastle, Sunderland and Queens Park Rangers have also been linked with the 29-year-old.

Not for sale

And Redknapp acknowledges that a a change of agent could see Defoe's head turned, but he has no plans on letting him leave. "A new agent comes in and the boy is not playing - I can understand it," he said. "Our chairman Daniel Levy spoke to his agent who said Jermain is not happy because he wants to play and he has got a few clubs in for him. "The agent is saying this club wants him and that club wants him - that is how they make their money. They want a move. "That is how agents work. This is the time of the year where they make their money by trying to shift players. They want to do a deal. They have got to sell somebody. He is not moving anywhere though. "He is on contract here and is a big player for us and is going to be an important player. "He was unlucky the other night. We had two games this week but he did not play against Everton because I went with Rafa [van der Vaart]. But Defoe is an important player. "He is a good lad. I have taken him everywhere and get on great with him. He gets disappointed, but there is every chance he will play against Wolves. And I would not even consider letting him out on loan."