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City bullied Spurs over Bellamy bid - Redknapp

Craig Bellamy joined Man City for £14 million © Getty Images

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Harry Redknapp has revealed that Tottenham's attempts to sign Craig Bellamy in January 2009 were thwarted by Manchester City who threatened to hijack the transfer of Wilson Palacios, unless Spurs cooled their interest in the Welsh forward.

Palacios joined Tottenham from Wigan two days after Bellamy signed for City from West Ham United, and Redknapp feels that the Eastlands club exploited their financial clout to prevent Tottenham getting their man.

Redknapp said: "They [Manchester City] wanted Bellamy desperately, it was a bidding war. Then they said if you don't pull out of buying Bellamy, then we'll sign Palacios as well." Redknapp said that City were "half interested" in Palacios, but conceded their financial dominance blew Spurs out of the water.

Redknapp indicated that Tottenham weren't acting under duress. He said: "It is difficult. The money they offered Bellamy we couldn't compete with." Asked whether that was reasonable behaviour, Redknapp replied: "They can do it, can't they?"

Tottenham were also close to signing Patrick Vieira from Inter Milan before his eventual move to Eastlands in January. Redknapp said: "Patrick wanted to come here at the start of the year. One of the all-time great Arsenal players wanting to come here was a brave move on his part, and it was a bold move on my part to want to bring him here."

His comments come the day before Tottenham's crucial clash with Manchester City at Eastlands, with both sides on the cusp of Champions League qualification for the first time. But Redknapp feels that although Tottenham currently occupy fourth place, the pressure is on their opponents.

"There's no pressure on us, really. If anyone was going to break into the top four this season, it would be Man City. Before the season, you thought Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool would be up there with Manchester City pushing them, with the resources and the money they've got. I think there's more pressure on City for sure."

Redknapp added: "But we'll go up there and try to get a positive result. This is a great opportunity for us this year. We deserve to be where we are and we've played some great football. If we finish fourth it will be no more than we deserve."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.