Harry Redknapp is looking to improve his defensive options this summer with the £15million acquisition of Liverpool and England right-back, Glen Johnson.
The attacking full-back has not had the best time of it since signing for Liverpool in the summer of 2009, and it is believed that Kenny Dalglish is willing to allow the 26-year-old to move to White Hart Lane.
The promising displays of young Martin Kelly, who is usually a right-back but who has played across the back four at various times this season, have apparently assured Kenny Dalglish that he can let the more experienced Johnson go without threatening the future success of the first-team, and Harry Redknapp is very keen to bring his former charge to Tottenham.
This season, Spurs have used both Alan Hutton and Vedran Corluka in the position, with neither being entirely convincing. Hutton had a barn-storming early season, getting forward frequently and contributing in an attacking sense, but since giving away an early penalty against Fulham in Spurs embarrassing 4-0 loss and a subsequent row with his manager, the tough-tackling Scot has fallen out of favour.
Corluka on the other hand was first choice last season in Spurs’ successful fight for 4th place and has been reinstalled in the Tottenham first-team in recent weeks, but has still only managed 14 appearances in all competitions, due to injury and the form of Hutton.
Both of these players have their limitations; Hutton is strong and fit, but is occasionally a liability in and around the area, whereas Corluka can provide some excellent crosses and is more assured on the ball, but is painfully slow and can be easily caught out.
Harry Redknapp, who managed Johnson to probably the best form of hs career at Portsmouth, is familiar with the player and is understood now to want the Englishman as his first-choice right-back for next season.
Spurs are thought to have informally offered £12million for the former West Ham, Chelsea and Portsmouth man but Liverpool are looking to hold out for a fee closer to £15million in an attempt to recoup as much of the £17million they paid Portsmouth for the player in 2009.
Although Johnson is dynamic and creative going forward, he is still well-known for lapses of concentration in defence that can prove very costly, so I am unconvinced as to whether or not Spurs should spend such a large fee to bring a player who has such overt weaknesses in his game to White Hart Lane.
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