Posted by Tim Mallow's View

TMR Football Blogger, Tom Mallows-

Harry Redknapp hasn't really hidden the fact that he still feels his Spurs side are a little short of a world class striker. In the summer, Redknapp unsuccessfully courted Seville's Brazilian Luis Fabiano as well as Dutchman Klass Jan Huntelaar, before missing out on both options.

Despite starting the season with four quality strikers in Defoe, Keane, Pavlyuchenko and Crouch, Redknapp is looking for players that will take them from breaking into the top four, into genuine Premier League title odds challengers.

Reports this week have suggested Redknapp has now singled out Real Madrid's Karim Benzema as his main target when the transfer window re-opens in January. Spurs will be one of a number of clubs linked with the French striker, who has failed to settle into life at the Santiago Bernabeu, since his big money move from Lyon last summer.

Since taking over in Madrid, Jose Mourinho has made it very clear that he sees the 22 year old as talented but lazy and has reportedly given the striker until January to prove his worth to the Real squad, or face being sold.

With Defoe currently sidelined with injury, Redknapp has made it painfully obvious he doesn't see Robbie Keane as part of the future of the club.

Premier League 2010-2011 betting pundits note how the Irishman has only started one game all season despite Defoe's absence from the first team and looks to be on his way come January. That would clear some funds for Redknapp to spend on a new forward, capable of taking the club to the next stage.