Spurs set to seal deals for Peter Crouch and Patrick Vieira

Harry Redknapp was last night poised to seal the £9.5million capture of Peter Crouch from Portsmouth.

And he confirmed he is still trying to convince Patrick Vieira, 33, to join Spurs even though he spent nine years captaining bitter rivals Arsenal.

Redknapp said: "I spoke with Patrick's agent about playing for Tottenham. We'll have to wait and see."

The Spurs boss, who is determined to gut his team after a 2-0 defeat to Celtic in the Wembley Cup pre-season tournament yesterday, also confirmed that ex-Charlton striker Darren Bent wants out. Sunderland are ready to wrap up Bent for £12m and Redknapp said: "Crouchy's different - he holds the ball up. Celtic held the ball up well today but we don't do that well enough.

"He gives you an option and he's played for me a few times before. He's always done a job and he's great on set-plays at both ends."

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is talking to Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie about the deal. "I don't know where it is going at the moment," said Redknapp. "Portsmouth have a price they want but we have a price we think is fair. Hopefully a compromise will happen."

"Darren is looking to go but it's up to people to make the offer we want."

Redknapp, now taking his squad on tour to China, is also trying to persuade Real Madrid to help fund striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar's wages so he can move to Spurs too.

He added: "The fee is between £15m and £17m. Maybe we'll get one of the two players, maybe none."