Harry Redknapp claims Inter Milan midfielder Patrick Vieira wants to join him at Tottenham.

The Spurs chief has made the one-time Arsenal favourite his main summer target, but a move appeared to have stalled earlier in the week.

Redknapp, though, is optimistic a deal can be done and is confident the veteran Frenchman, who is looking for first team football ahead of the 2010 World Cup, would find an ideal fit at White Hart Lane.

"He can stay at Milan but he's willing (to come)," Redknapp told reporters.

"He's thinking: 'I had a great time at Arsenal and now I want to come and be a great player for Tottenham for a couple of years'."

Asked if he was surprised Vieira wanted to come considering his Arsenal connection Redknapp replied: "Yes, it's a courageous move isn't it?

"If he comes and plays well the fans will love him, why shouldn't they, and they'll probably think they've got one over on Arsenal because we've taken one of their great players.

"It will even it out with Sol Campbell perhaps. I think Patrick would improve us. He would give us a real presence in the team.

"He's been there, he's done it all, he's a fantastic professional. He's a leader.

"You need people who have been there and done it and won it and that's what he would give you.

"He's got a good contract there (Milan) but he's definitely interested and I'm interested in him coming. The players will respond to him. He's a proper professional.

"He was a legend at Arsenal and he wants to come to Tottenham to play, not for the money. The money is probably a third of the money he was earning at Milan.

"He wants to come because he wants to play football. He would bring an awful lot to our football club."