Redknapp wants to add a target man to the Tottenham attack after becoming unconvinced of the quality of his current forwards, Darren Bent and Roman Pavlyuchenko.

Adriano was viewed as the perfect foil for Defoe, though tentative inquiries have come to nothing over the big Brazilian, and the manager is now considering other options.

Crespo, who has proven Premier League experience, even if his time at Stamford Bridge was only a qualified success, is currently out of favour with Inter manager Jose Mourinho and would be available on loan until the end of the season, when he would become a free agent.

Such an arrangement would leave Redknapp with sufficient funds to strengthen elsewhere, especially if he is able to offload either or both of Bent and Pavlyuchenko, as well as afford him the opportunity to asses the merits of taking Crespo on a permanent deal.

Tottenham have been one of the more active clubs in the market this month, though, Defoe aside, have found business hard to do.

Sunderland manager Ricky Sbagria has berated the club for their public attempts to sign Kenwyne Jones and has knocked back at least one official approach.

Likewise, an offer close to £10 million for West Ham striker Craig Bellamy has been rebuffed, forcing Redknapp to reconsider his transfer strategy.

The interest of Manchester City in the Welshman has created an open auction for Bellamy that, due to City’s incredible wealth - as evidenced by their £135 million offer for AC Milan’s Kaka - Tottenham would be almost certain to lose.

Reports in the Italian media suggest that, along with Crespo, Tottenham have also expressed an interest in former Leeds United midfielder Olivier Dacourt.

However, Redknapp could face stiff competition from Bologna for both players, after the Serie A side’s manager Sinisa Mihajlovic revealed his own interest.