Transfer rumours: Nicolas Anelka on his way to Tottenham Hotspur?

With the January transfer window looming closer, rumors regarding unsettled players have begun to escalate and one of the most recent one links Nicholas Anelka of Chelsea with a move to Tottenham Hotspur. The French forward has found himself within the fringes of team this season with Villas-Boas preferring Fernando Torres, Daniel Sturridge and Didier Drogba over him.

The Chelsea boss also previously hinted in September that Anelka could be on his way out of Chelsea as his contract is nearing expiry.

“It might not be the player’s expectancy to renew. Nico as a person is very, very happy. He belongs to Chelsea in the last year of his contract, performing. We will make our efforts for him to renew but Nico has his own decision to make and I am not sure he will be willing.”

Asked whether Anelka had indicated he wanted to leave, Villas-Boas replied: “Yes.”

Now, it appears that Tottenham Hotspur have listed him as a transfer target regardless of in January or next summer. While he has been linked with a big money move to China, Harry Redknapp has publicly expressed his admiration for the ex-Real Madrid man.

“I have always liked him,” Redknapp said. “I think he is a fantastic goalscorer but he is not a player who I have made any enquiries about or mentioned to the chairman.

“Having said that, I wouldn’t stand here and say, ‘No. Never’, because if I did sign him you would say, ‘What a lying git’. It’s not a bad shout. He’s a good player.”

That piece of quote might suggest that Anelka could be on his way to White Hart Lane, where only Adebayor has been raking up goals on a consistent basis for them. With Jermain Defoe also looking out of favour, it remains to be seen whether Redknapp would make his move in January or wait for the summer to sign him on a free transfer.