31-8-10: Spurs boss Harry Redknapp was last night poised to pull off a sensational £8m swoop for Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart. Redknapp was only tipped off that the Dutch international was available two hours before the 6pm transfer deadline. When the deadline passed neither Spurs nor Real could confirm a deal had been done. However, Redknapp was confi dent that he had got his man as he left Spurs’ training ground, leaving club officials to frantically complete the paperwork. And the Premier League are expected to ratify the move today after the clubs and player had agreed a transfer fee and personal terms. It was a stunning piece of business by Spurs, with Redknapp also claiming the 27-year-old had yesterday been set to join Bayern Munich for £18m, only for the move to break down. Redknapp, who also signed Croatia keeper Stipe Pletikosa on a season-long loan, said: “It was a last-minute job. When I came in this morning it wasn’t something I was looking to do. “I think he was going to Bayern Munich yesterday for £18m and suddenly he became much cheaper. “They let me know around 4pm that he was available for £8m and for that money he is a top player who will definitely improve us.”