After a busy January transfer window where Harry Redknapp brought in five new players, he has now turned his attention to Stephen Appiah. In a week where all other business was put to one side, Redknapp can now focus his attentions on the combative midfielder who is available for free, hence he can be signed outside the window.
Appiah, 28, has been a free agent since his contract was cancelled by FIFA after he went on strike following a botched operation on his knee by doctors at Fenerbache. During his extended recuperation, Fenerbache approached Appiah to suspend his registration so they could bring in another foreign player. And when he refused they reneged on his wages.
In August at the height of his battle with Fenerbache, Appiah was quoted as saying,
"I am leaving Fenerbahce because of the despicable treatment I received from the management during my months out of action but I am sad for the fans because of their fantastic support they gave me during this trying time.
"I got injured while playing for this club, delayed my surgery just to help the club win the title, the club's doctors messed up the operation and now management are stabbing me in the back.
"The management have made it impossible to stay so I am looking ahead to new challenges."
As of from September, Appiah became a free agent and after being tracked by Arsenal, West Ham, Portsmouth, and Tottenham he chose the North London club as Harry Redknapp is a known long time admirer.
Despite lacking match fitness Redknapp has been reasonably impressed with the player once nicknamed "the Tornado" and he now looks set to make a decision on the Ghanaian after a specially arranged friendly against Reading last Wednesday.
Going into the game Harry Redknapp was very concerned with Appiah's match fitness as the game against Reading was his first competitive match since November 2007, although he did feature in some part against Libya in August 2008.
However all of Redknapp's fears were quickly dispelled as Appiah put in a performance that belied his long absence. Marshaling midfield well, Appiah even found the reserves for a few lung bursting runs as Spurs pushed on.
The game finished as a 4-4 draw with Appiah claiming an assist for the third goal. And he was said to be very happy at having lasted the 90 minutes, as he was very keen to prove his improved fitness.
On the day before the match Redknapp had intimated that the contract signing hinged on Appiah's fitness and having proved that the ball is firmly in Tottenham's court.
Simon Fletcher who was at the match for a Spurs fanzine had this to say after the game.
"I am surprised that Harry has not given Appiah the damn contract," Fletcher said.
"I saw the game and from his performance I think he deserves a deal because he is miles above the midfielders we have in our team. All the talk about fitness is rubbish.
"He run throughout the game with excellent passes and crucially leadership qualities on the pitch which we lack in our team.
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