Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar has announced he will be signing for Tottenham during the current transfer window.
Both Spurs and Chelsea were in the running to sign the South Africa international, who is in the final year of his deal with the Toffees, and the 28-year-old has announced on his Twitter feed that he is set to make the move to White Hart Lane.
Pienaar said: “To end speculation I am going to Spurs.
“I've had brilliant years at Everton and it will always be a special place in my heart.”
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp later revealed he is “pretty sure”
the deal will be completed this week, and he is hoping to hand Pienaar his
debut against Newcastle on Saturday.
Redknapp told Sky Sports News: “I think we've done it (the
deal) - I think it's done. I think everything's agreed and he's going to join
us, we're pretty sure.
“He's a good signing. He's a good footballer, I think he'll
fit into the way we play great and I've always liked him.
“He has a good attitude, a good trainer, a good player. I
know David Moyes loved him at Everton and it was unfortunate he decided not to
stay
“But in the end I think it is a fair deal - Everton got a
decent fee in the end for him, Chelsea were in for him, and I think he spoke to
Chelsea and he came and spoke to us and he's decided to come here.”
Redknapp added: “He should be (available to face Newcastle)
- hopefully we will get him sorted in time and if everything goes through, it
shouldn't be a problem.
“I think he'll be in the squad for Saturday.”