Newcastle's French centre-back Sebastien Bassong is eager to join Tottenham to work under Harry Redknapp, according to reports.

Bassong, also eligible to play for Cameroon, was one of the Magpies' few bright spots last season as he caught the eye with a series of assured displays in his debut campaign in England.

The 23-year-old moved to Newcastle last year from Metz in a deal thought to be worth in the region of #500 000.

Speculation over the weekend suggested Spurs had failed in a #10-million offer to land a player clearly desperate to stay in the Premier League.

Redknapp claimed he had no knowledge of a bid having been officially lodged, but was willing to concede his admiration and interest in the player.

The Spurs chief is desperate for defensive cover in the centre of his defence as his first three choices - Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate and Michael Dawson - are all struggling to make the start of the season.

Bassong is equally keen on the deal as he believes a move to the capital, to work under Redknapp, could only aid his development.