Harry Redknapp knows exactly what it feels like to see a transfer target slip through his fingers.
In a week when Tottenham were hit with an eleventh-hour sucker punch in their quest to land Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, Redknapp had some sympathy for his former employers amid the tough lessons that will undoubtedly be learnt.
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Eze is on the cusp of completing his move to bitter rivals Arsenal despite Tottenham having done all the leg work in agreeing a deal with Crystal Palace.
Discussing Tottenham’s failure to secure the winger, Redknapp says that Spurs dragging their heels ultimately cost them in their pursuit.
“It’s a big blow but it took so long,” Redknapp told talkSPORT.
“When transfers drag on and don’t get done, you invite other people in. You’ve got to get them done, get them over the line.”
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And the 78-year-old knows all too well the feeling of being pipped at the post.
In 2004, then-Portsmouth boss Redknapp believed he had pulled off the signing of Michael Carrick from West Ham, but ironically it was Spurs chairman Daniel Levy who performed a heist of his own, proving he doesn’t always get it wrong.
“I remember the Michael Carrick transfer. He was on his way down to Portsmouth when I managed them,” Redknapp recalled.
“Michael’s on the motorway and suddenly Daniel Levy sees on the TV that he’s coming down for a medical to Portsmouth.
“Daniel thought ‘well Harry knows him, he managed him at West Ham. He’s surely not going to take him to Portsmouth if he doesn’t think he’s good?’
“The manager at Tottenham at the time [Jacques] Santini didn’t even know him. Daniel took a gamble and nicked him off us.
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“But that’s how it goes. Until they’re over the line, until they’ve signed on that dotted line, you’re open to this sort of thing happening.”
Ironically, Carrick could have ended up at Arsenal after attending a meeting at Arsene Wenger’s house.
But unlike Eze, Carrick had his heart set on Tottenham and rebuffed a scheduled second meeting with the legendary French manager.
How did Spurs let this happen?
Digging deeper into where the Eze deal may have slipped from Tottenham’s grasp, Redknapp believes Arsenal would have likely informed the player of their plan to table an offer in light of Tottenham’s agreement with Crystal Palace.
“There must have been a problem somewhere at the other end or with an agent. If you agree the terms then the first thing you do is meet the player,” Redknapp added.
“The terms are all done before you sign on the dotted line but then for whatever reason they hung about waiting for Arsenal to come in.
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“If he’s an Arsenal fan, he maybe sees Arsenal as a team that can win the Premier League this year.
“He’s hung on, maybe he’s had the word from Arsenal saying, ‘don’t dive in, we’re still interested.’
“It’s a shame for Tottenham obviously but it’s a big shame for Crystal Palace, how does their manager feel?
“It will be interesting how it all pans out but Arsenal have signed a good player for sure.”
Eze bid farewell to Crystal Palace on Thursday night and is expected to undergo a medical at Arsenal on Friday ahead of a £67.5million move.
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Palace boss Oliver Glasner also confirmed that Eze has played his last game for the club
“I’m responsible for Crystal Palace and I think he won’t play for us again,” Glasner said when asked whether Eze was closing in on a switch to Arsenal.
