QPR boss Harry Redknapp says he was close to signing Harry Kane on loan from Tottenham before the transfer window shut – and may make another move for the England Under-21 striker.
Kane, 20, was lined up as a replacement for Andy Johnson when it seemed he would be returning to his former club Crystal Palace.
The 32-year-old ended up staying, but amid doubts over Johnson’s long-term fitness following a knee injury, and with Palace planning another attempt to sign him in January, Redknapp believes Kane could still end up at Loftus Road.
He explained: “I was going to take Harry on the deadline. I was going to take him that night when AJ looked like he was going to Crystal Palace.
“Now, I don’t know. If Emmanuel Adebayor’s not in Tottenham’s squad they’ve only really got two strikers – Jermain Defoe and [Roberto] Soldado.
“Harry’s probably the third choice there now. Whether they’ll still loan him, I don’t know. They might do.”
Kane, who has had loan spells at Leyton Orient, Millwall, Norwich and Leicester, was one of several players former Spurs manager Redknapp was keen to sign from the north London club.
He was unable to land Andros Townsend, who impressed while on loan from Tottenham last season, but did manage to bring in Tom Carroll and Benoit Assou-Ekotto.
And he believes Kane may yet be loaned out in order to pick up more first-team experience.
“It may happen still. He needs games and it certainly didn’t do Andros any harm coming here last year,” said Redknapp, who says he would also like the out-of-favour Adebayor on loan.
“Andy Johnson missed all of last season – is he going to stay fit? Bobby Zamora’s had problems too.
“That [up front] is the only area. Everywhere else I’m very happy with.”
Follow West London Sport on Twitter
Find us on Facebook
This post was last modified on 17/09/2013