Birmingham manager Harry Redknapp has revealed he would like to sign former Tottenham and QPR full back Benoit Assou-Ekotto – but the player is mulling over a move into pornography.
Redknapp has developed a reputation throughout his managerial career for his negotiating techniques, but even the 70-year-old’s persuasive powers may prove futile with his latest transfer target.
Assou-Ekotto is known for taking little interest in football outside of his playing career, and the Cameroon defender has already set his sights on a new profession after being released by French club Metz.
The 33-year-old has previously described playing football as ‘just a job’, and a career in the adult industry could well beckon for the maverick left back.
Redknapp admitted he came into his latest managerial role with limited knowledge of the Championship and his playing squad and, but having saved the club from relegation, he has encountered an unexpected obstacle in a bid to bolster his defensive options.
The former Tottenham and QPR manager was a guest on the Spurs Show podcast, and he revealed a strange stumbling block in his bid to sign the veteran full back.
‘The only trouble is that he’s admitted he wants to be a pornstar. 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.’
Assou-Ekotto enjoyed a successful spell under Redknapp at White Hart Lane, thriving in the left back position after Gareth Bale was moved further forward – but he was loaned to QPR in 2013.
The defender was unable to help the Loftus Road club avoid relegation to the Championship, and after a spell with Saint-Etienne, he moved to Metz last season on a one-year deal.
Assou-Ekotto made 19 appearances as the side finished 14th in Ligue 1, but he was sent off twice – in heavy defeats by Nancy and Bordeaux – with the 7-0 loss to eventual champions Monaco perhaps having a bearing on his interest in a new line of work.
Culled from Mail
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