Jonathan Woodgate(credit:
Wikipedia)
Tottenham defender Jonathan Woodgate will not be joining fierce rivals Arsenal, manager Harry Redknapp has insisted.
Woodgate, who has made just three appearances since the start of the 2009/10 season due to injury, has been linked with a move to the Gunners in recent weeks as Arsene Wenger reportedly looks to strengthen numbers at centre-back.
But when asked if it was possible the 31-year-old could cross the North London divide, Redknapp said: “No, not a chance. We wouldn't let him go there. We want to keep him.
“He's out of contract in the summer so if we let him out on loan, then we're not giving him away unless he signs a new deal before he goes.
“And you couldn't do that right now in case he breaks down. He needs to stay here and see how it goes and if he's OK, we can sit down at the end of the season and give him a deal for next year.
“But it would have to be heavily loaded as a pay-as-you-play deal.
“I love Jonathan but you can't keep paying wages to a boy who doesn't play all year.
“Jonathan's been out of the team for two years but played 45 minutes against a QPR team Neil Warnock sent although I think they were waiters from the Shepherd's Bush area.
“It wasn't a great test but Jonathan's doing well. He's coming back and when he's fit, he's a top, top centre-half.”