Harry Redknapp claims he tried to sign Mario Balotelli for Tottenham Hotspur.

The controversial Italian international has had an event-filled two years at Manchester City, which includes helping the Blues win the Premier League and FA Cup.

Balotelli, though, could have been wearing the white of Spurs instead, if Redknapp has succeeded in luring him from Internazionale before City pounced.

"I actually tried to sign him for Tottenham before he went to City,” said the former White Hart Lane boss. “I'd admired him for a while and I went over to Italy to watch him play.

"We wanted him on a loan deal but his club weren't keen and it never happened. He's definitely got it and, at 21, he'll be terrorising defenders for many seasons to come."

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