HARRY Redknapp beat off an 11th-hour challenge from Everton to sign Portsmouth's Niko Kranjcar. (The Sun)The Croatian midfield schemer will join Tottenham in a �2.

HARRY Redknapp beat off an 11th-hour challenge from Everton to sign Portsmouth's Niko Kranjcar. (The Sun)

The Croatian midfield schemer will join Tottenham in a �2.5million move.

Spurs boss Redknapp said: "I'm really delighted. I signed him for Portsmouth and he's a fantastic player and a great lad.

"I've already got two fantastic Croatian players - Luka Modric and Vedran Corluka - who can help him settle in."

Kranjcar, 25, who will sign a four-year deal, was allowed to leave Croatia's World Cup training camp last night. He is expected to have a medical today.

Redknapp is poised to bolster his squad further with deadline-day moves for Manchester City's out-of-favour winger Martin Petrov and Pompey's England goalkeeper David James.

Bulgarian Petrov, 30, will be allowed to leave City for free - and national team-mate Dimitar Berbatov has told him joining Spurs would be a great move.

Berba, who quit Tottenham for Manchester United last year, said: "I wish a lot that Martin will join Tottenham. The behaviour of City to him is not good.

"Tottenham is a bigger club than City. I know from sure sources that Martin will have a chance to play at Tottenham."

Petrov has pulled out of Bulgaria's preparations for Saturday's World Cup qualifier with Montenegro for talks.

Veteran keeper James, 39, another Redknapp signing during his Pompey days, would also add strength to a squad that is missing first-choice keeper Heurelho Gomes with a thigh injury.

Spurs are also thought to be close to taking Crystal Palace starlet Victor Moses, 18, on loan after beating off interest from Wigan.