Harry Redknapp remains hopeful that Tottenham can seal a loan deal for Emmanuel Adebayor - and a midfielder is also a priority

Harry Redknapp believes that Emmanuel Adebayor could be “sensational” for Tottenham if Spurs are able to seal a loan deal for the ex-Arsenal striker.

Adebayor has often been a thorn in the side for the Lilywhites, having scored 10 goals against Tottenham since joining the Gunners in January 2006.

Now the 27-year-old is surplus to requirements at Manchester City – and Redknapp feels that the Togo international could be an invaluable addition to Spurs’ front line.

“He was fantastic against us last year in Madrid, we couldn’t handle him,” said the Tottenham boss. “If he’s at it and he comes here and really wants to play - which we want him to do and he’s got to want to do – then he could be sensational.

“I think we’re trying to do something with him. I’m sure the fans would take to him, because he fell out with Arsenal fans. Arsenal fans hate him so Tottenham fans will love him! He’s got an advantage there – he’ll be a hero.

“If he comes here and his head’s on, and he wants to play, he could be fantastic. I think it would probably be a loan deal and you can’t go wrong can you?

“When he was at it with Arsenal he was brilliant - that’s why Manchester City paid �25million for him. He was almost unplayable at that time. If he comes here we’d be looking for him to do that here, and there’s no reason why he can’t do that.”

Redknapp is also desperate to reinforce his central midfield, and he admits that he is a big admirer of Real Madrid’s Lassana Diarra.

“I like Diarra, it’s a possibility. The chairman’s been trying to do something there,” said the manager. “We have to do something, we can’t start the season with Jake Livermore as our only midfield player.

“I’m trying to find somebody to play in there with him [against Hearts], and really we haven’t got another midfield player.”

Free agent Thomas Hitzlsperger has been training with Spurs this week, having left West Ham during the summer – but the 29-year-old signed for Wolfsburg last night.

That is another blow for Redknapp, who concedes that he was impressed with the Germany international during his time on the Spurs Lodge training ground.

“He’s a good player, he’s come in and trained and I’ve liked his attitude,” said Redknapp. “I think he’s got 56 caps for Germany so he can’t be a mug can he? I think we probably underestimate him in this country.

“He was captain of the German team before the last World Cup and got injured, so he couldn’t go, but he was the captain, so that tells you something about the boy. I’ve been really impressed with him.”

Redknapp also concedes that Tottenham are unlikely to renew their interest in West Ham’s Scott Parker.

“It’s a difficult deal for anyone to do,” he said. “I like Scott Parker but it’s not an easy deal. You’re looking at �7million or �8m, plus the wages and he’s 31 years old. It’s a difficult one.”

Follow me on Twitter @BenPearceSpurs