Harry Redknapp has revealed he may have trouble signing Benoit Assou-Ekotto for the third time in his career because the player wants to be a PORN star.
Redknapp, now manager of Birmingham City, has agreed a new deal with the club after successfully saving them from relegation to League One last season.
And the 70-year-old, infamous for his deadline-day dealings, is keen to bolster his new squad for the new campaign in the Championship, with Assou-Ekotto reportedly on his wishlist.
The pair worked together when Redknapp was manager of Spurs, and the Cameroonian full-back was part of the squad that reached the quarter finals of the Champions League.
They also joined up at Queens Park Rangers when Redknapp brought him in on loan in 2013.
Assou-Ekotto, now 33, currently plays for Ligue 1 side FC Metz, but is out of contract in the summer.
However, Redknapp has astonishingly revealed that negotiations for a deal may hit a snag because of Assou-Ekotto’s other passion – porn.
Speaking ahead of the summer transfer window on the Spurs Show Podcast, Redknapp has played down the deal for the “mad” star Assou-Ekotto.
“He was mad, Benoit, but do you know what? I think I’m mad as well,” he said.
“I got a phone call – it’s the gospel truth.
“I agreed I might go to Birmingham and suddenly I get a phone call from this guy.
“‘Oh Mr Redknapp, I’ve got a fantastic player for you’.
“Oh yes? ‘One of your old players’. Yes? ‘Benoit’. No!
“But seriously you know what? I’m thinking: ‘Yeah!’
“Somewhere inside I’m thinking I can get him going again.
“The only trouble is that he’s admitted he wants to be a porn star.
“Maybe I can get another year out of him before he decides to do that.
“What a good player.
“He could well end up in the Birmingham colours next year, Benoit.”
Other former players Redknapp is rumoured to be interested in are Sebastien Bassong, Darren Bent and Robbie Keane.