Two to Pompey as 'Arry sets Pav's price

Tottenham loaned midfielder Jamie O'Hara to Portsmouth and signed him to a new contract Friday on the same day that Harry Redknapp sold misfit Kevin-Prince Boateng to the south coast club who are desperately trying to shore up their frail squad before the transfer window closes.

O'Hara's move is an initial loan until January with an option to increase it to a season-long move, while Boateng brought around £4 million from Pompey, one of the Premier League's weakest-looking sides so far this season.

The move greatly benefits O'Hara, who appeared to be making great strides playing on the left side last season but hasn't been able to play there thus far this term due to the scintillating form of Luka Modric. O'Hara is reportedly thrilled with the possibilities that Fratton Park club offers, saying that he will likely play in the central midfield and attempt to score some goals for Paul Hart.

This potential move is interesting for O'Hara, who was predominantly deployed out left under Redknapp. By playing in the middle of the field, O'Hara will hopefully develop a new attacking edge to his game, one that he wouldn't have added by sitting on the bench at White Hart Lane. It is worth mentioning that O'Hara's first Premier League goal came against Portsmouth on March 22, 2008.

Boateng moved to Spurs in 2007, a buy of then-manager Martin Jol. The so-called "Ghetto Kid" appeared to be on his way towards a promising international career before his move to London, but after Jol was fired Boateng became more of a problem than an asset. He was one of the players whose squad number was stripped by Juande Ramos after the Spaniard moved to Spurs from Sevilla. Boateng has also had attitude problems with the German national team, leading him to stop playing for the Germans and start playing for his father's native Ghana. Redknapp, however, gave Boateng both his number and, possibly, his career back by putting Boateng on the field for two games in the 2008-09 season and then loaning him out to Borussia Dortmund in the midfielder's native Germany. The German club wanted to buy the attacking midfielder, but Tottenham's asking price was purportedly too high to work out.

Now, Boateng has the opportunity to complete his career's revival for a squad that desperately needs a few surprises in order to earn Premier League survival. Hopefully he can move beyond his attitude problems and succeed in Fratton Park.

Russian international Roman Pavlyuchenko has received limited opportunities on the squad this season, scoring against Donacaster Tuesday in his first legitimate action this term, and is beginning to worry about how his lack of play could affect his international standing for the 2010 World Cup. He and his agent discussed the issue with Redknapp this past week and, despite the manager's assurances that Pav would remain in North London for the rest of this season, the Daily Mail is reporting that Tottenham has told Zenit St. Petersburg that Pav will cost them £10.5 million. The rumor may be just that, but Redknapp has a history of saying one thing and then doing the next, something that he has already done with Spurs a few times.

With that said, Redknapp should try to keep Pav around, maybe even as his second striker, as he is younger than Peter Crouch and can't be less effective than Robbie Keane has been so far this term. Pav has the potential to be an excellent Premier League player, but hasn't yet settled into the striker rotation at White Hart Lane and will be constantly involved in transfer rumors until he is finally sold or finally finds a permanent role. Pavlyuchenko could have a huge year this year, if only he is given the opportunity to prove himself.

Redknapp eying moves for Crouch, Delph, McCarthy

Tottenham could become involved in the transfer market very quickly in coming days, as Harry Redknapp is suddenly being linked with moves for a slew of players. Most notable among those is Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch, the 6'7 English international who 'Arry has already purchased twice in his career.

Crouch, who has also drawn the interest of Sunderland and Fullham, is one of the better English strikers in the game at the moment and, due to his size, certainly one of the most unique. His goal scoring rate, however, fell off rapidly last season after Redknapp moved to Spurs, taking Jermaine Defoe with him. It is certainly worth noting, also, that Crouch's stats aren't quite as good as he seems to be remembered, as he scored 22 goals in 85 appearances with Liverpool and 11 goals in 35 games last season with Portsmouth.

As long as there are other players available, Redknapp should avoid a move for Crouch who, while an interesting target man, simply doesn't produce enough to be a particularly valuable player for any side.

There are many better ways to spend £12 million.

One of those ways may be registering an interest in Leeds United midfielder Fabian Delph, a young Englishman who has been one of the top prospects in England for two seasons now. Leeds, which is notable for producing excellent midfielders (Aaron Lennon included), reportedly want somewhere between £5 and £6 million for Delph.

The central midfielder would be an excellent addition for Spurs, but doing so would almost certainly mean the end of either Tom Huddlestone or Jermaine Jenas, as Luka Modric and Wilson Palacios are solidified in the starting central midfield spots. It would, however, likely be a move that pays off in the future and could also help Spurs prepare for the rumored FIFA 5+6 rules. Delph has also been strongly linked with Marin O'Neill's Aston Villa, who appear to be the favorites in the race for his signature.

Another move to the future would be the signing of Hamilton Academical striker James McCarthy, who has been strongly linked with a move to Wigan. McCarthy is a legitimate prospect, something affirmed by Wigan's interest. He does not, however, appear likely to move to Spurs, as Roberto Martinez's club are more interested in the player and could offer playing time pretty quickly.

Tottenham have reportedly not offered a concrete bid for McCarthy yet.