The 33-year-old has spent almost 10 years in the Premiership after five seasons at Chelsea and four at Arsenal but is currently without a club following his decision to leave the Emirates Stadium when offered a new deal on reduced wages.

The Frenchman has earned a reputation as a bit of a trouble maker in his career to date and was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy for publicly criticising his team-mates, while also staging a ’sit-in’ on the pitch at Birmingham back in 2008 following a 2-2 draw with the Blues.

He also left Chelsea under a cloud as part of the deal to take Ashley Cole to Stamford Bridge, with rumours, later denied by the player, that Gallas had threatened to score own goals if he was not allowed to leave Chelsea.

All the reports of petulant behaviour have not deterred Redknapp in his quest to sign the France international defender and he made it clear, in his own inimitable way, that he will have no problem bringing the former Caen defender to the club.

“It’s all cobblers,” he said. “What’s he done? It’s not the Yorkshire Ripper I’m signing, is it? He’s a footballer, he plays football.

“I must say, whenever we’ve played against him, I always felt he was a fantastic defender.

“I spoke to a few people about him – who have played with him and everything else – and everyone came back with the same views as I’ve got.

“And if he has got a temperament, from what they tell me and the people I spoke to who’ve played with him is that he gets the hump with people who are not as professional as he is.”

Gallas’ proposed move is bound to cause consternation among Gunners’ fans as they will possibly have to watch one of their former heroes playing his trade with their bitter north London rivals.

Former England defender Sol Campbell famously incurred the wrath of the Spurs fans by moving in the opposite direction back in 2001 after nine years with Tottenham and it could be pay back time for the Spurs faithful as they look set to welcome Gallas to the club before the transfer window closes at the end of August.

Spurs face Stoke at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday afternoon looking for their first win of the Premiership season following a 0-0 draw with Manchester City last weekend (Tottenham 6/5 to beat Stoke).

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Hodgson has worked wonders since taking over at Craven Cottage and it came as no surprise when his former club Inter Milan where linked with a swoop following the departure of Jose Mourinho.

‘The Special One’ will take some replacing but it is easy to see why Hodgson’s name has been thrown into the frame after the miracles he has worked in west London.

Hodgson has changed Fulham from a side struggling in the Premier League to one pushing for Europe and last season’s run in the Europa League showed what a remarkable job the former Blackburn boss has done.

The Cottagers may have lost in the final but the fact they got there in the first place was an amazing feat and something Hodgson will be looking to build on.

“Me to Inter? I am surprised,” he revealed. “I don’t know. I have not spoken to anyone. I have not heard from Inter. My name is in the same speculation as Benitez and Capello (as they both have contracts elsewhere, like Hodgson).

“I am under contract with Fulham, and I am happy there. When I hear something then we will see, but I cannot say anything at the moment.”

Speculation has been rife linking the likes of Bobby Zamora with a move away from the club, but the crucial factor for Fulham will be keeping hold of Hodgson.

Players can come and go but as long as Hodgson is at the helm then Fulham are in safe hands and can look to the future. Without him there is a danger they could return to battling for their lives near the foot of the division.

The main worry for Fulham fans is will Hodgson think he has taken the club as far as he can or will he believe they are capable of winning some silverware?

The top seven never mind the top four will take some breaking into next season as Liverpool finished there in the last campaign, while the big guns have started to take the FA Cup seriously again.

That just leaves the Carling Cup and Hodgson, despite his denials may find it impossible to turn down the chance to coach the European Champions again.

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