Harry Redknapp has defended his right to pursue Jermain Defoe and Stewart Downing. The Tottenham Hotspur manager confirmed he had made firm bids for the pair, although admitted that neither club had to sell its best players.

Downing, the Middlesbrough winger, reportedly handed in a formal transfer request this morning, however the club remain adamant that any such request will be dismissed and have warned Tottenham not to continue their pursuit of the winger. Redknapp admitted that while the club had made a substantial offer for Downing, the deal could yet fall through.

"The club made an offer and I know the chairman [Daniel Levy] has made a big offer for him," Redknapp said. "But Middlesbrough are a good club and if the chairman [Steve Gibson] decides he doesn't want to sell him, that's his right to do that and that's the end of that one.

"We can only make an offer and it is up to the clubs if they want to accept it or not."

Tottenham are also thought to be closing in on a deal to resign Defoe from Portsmouth for a fee throught to be about £15million. Tony Adams, the Portsmouth manager, will not let Defoe leave without a fight and Redknapp may have to turn his focus elsewhere.

"The chairman and Peter Storrie are talking so if they want to do a deal they will," Redknapp said. "But I don't know. I spoke to Daniel this morning and there was no news so we will have a look at it and see what happens, see if there is anything else around."

Redknapp rejected suggestions that his interest in Defoe was disrespectful towards his former club. "The chairman has dealt with it. He has gone in there and made an offer," he said. "I have not gone in for any other players at Portsmouth. I have not made any enquiries there. If they don't want to sell him they don't have to."