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Harry Redknapp will forever be the king of transfer deadline day thanks to his escapades at Portsmouth, Southampton, Tottenham and QPR.
Redknapp famously once replied to suggestions that he’s a “wheeler and dealer” by telling a reporter: “I’m not a wheeler and dealer, f*ck off.”
But there’s no doubt he likes a transfer – and an update from the window of his car. Here is every player he ever signed on January deadline day.
Portsmouth – 2004
Lomana LuaLua: Considering LuaLua was only signed on loan for the second half of the season, he emphatically nailed his new colours to his mast by scoring an 89th-minute equaliser against parent club Newcastle, which seriously dented their top-four hopes, and rejecting the chance to return to the Magpies for the second leg of their UEFA Cup semi-final against Marseille.
A permanent £1.75million deal in the summer was probably the best for all parties.
John Curtis: Signed on a free transfer from Leicester, Curtis made just seven league appearances for Pompey before a loan spell at Preston was followed by a transfer to Nottingham Forest the following January.
Southampton – 2005
Henri Camara: Celtic had paid a British record £1.5million loan fee to sign the striker at the start of 2004-05 – as a replacement for Henrik Larsson, no less – but were willing to cut his stay short to allow the Senegal international to join Southampton, with whom he was relegated.
Olivier Bernard: He joined until the end of the season, couldn’t stop Saints from being relegated, then didn’t have his contract extended in the summer. It went well.
Still, at least he didn’t get knocked out by a Laurent Robert clearance.
Portsmouth – 2006
Andres D’Alessandro: Harry Redknapp back at Portsmouth. The Great Escape. Matty Taylor briefly turning into Roberto Carlos. Andres D’Alessandro tearing it up on loan. We hoped that would last forever.
READ: A love letter to Andrés D’Alessandro, River Plate legend & Pompey cult hero
Portsmouth – 2008
Jermain Defoe: Defoe joined Redknapp for the second time in his career but as a result missed out on two trophies: Tottenham’s League Cup triumph over Chelsea and Portsmouth’s FA Cup win against Cardiff – the latter because he was cup-tied.
Twelve months and 17 goals later he was back at Spurs. He is yet to win a trophy.
Tottenham – 2009
Robbie Keane: July 2008 – Tottenham sell Keane to Liverpool for an initial fee of £19million.
February 2009 – Tottenham re-sign Keane for an initial fee of £12million.
Daniel Levy’s gonna Daniel Levy.
Tottenham – 2012
Louis Saha: Good player on his day, Saha, wasn’t he?
We’re still not entirely sure why Spurs signed him, mind, other than that Stephen Pienaar was off back to Everton on loan so ‘Arry thought they might as well.
READ: Louis Saha: A brilliant striker, but never better than when at Fulham
Ryan Nelsen (signed post window): Speaking of players we have no idea why Spurs signed…
QPR – 2013
Chris Samba: QPR were bottom of the league heading into January of 2013 and needed Redknapp to work his magic if they were to avoid relegation.
They finished bottom of the league.
Jermaine Jenas: Has there ever been a more Harry Redknapp transfer window than signing Tal Ben Haim, Loic Remy, Yun Suk-young, Chris Samba, Jermaine Jenas and Andros Townsend?
Andros Townsend: See above.
As a post-script to this window, Ryan Nelsen decided to retire on deadline day.
QPR – 2014
Aaron Hughes: Experienced head. Six-month deal. Eleven appearances. Unused substitute in the play-off final.
Remarkably, four clubs later and at the age of 39, he’s still going and has even played in a major international tournament in that time.
Dellatorre: We’re not saying QPR panicked, but Dellatorre was one of four strikers the club signed on loan on deadline day. The Brazilian failed to make a single appearance.
Kevin Doyle: Two goals in nine appearances and 57 minutes of the play-off final victory over Derby County.
Will Keane: Ten appearances. No goals. Didn’t even make the bench at Wembley.
Modibo Maiga: Okay, QPR definitely panicked. Eight appearances. One goal. Didn’t even make the bench at Wembley. Still the 22nd best forward signed by David Sullivan and David Gold at West Ham.
READ NEXT: Remembering Svetoslav Todorov and Harry Redknapp’s thrilling Pompey
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