Graphic: Window on the spending spree

Harry Redknapp’s brinkmanship in the transfer window left Portsmouth with red faces last night as the deal that was meant to finance Jermain Defoe’s transfer to Fratton Park fell through. Defoe joined the south coast club for about £7 million from Tottenham Hotspur but Benjani Mwaruwari’s move to Manchester City collapsed because the clubs could not file the paperwork for the forward’s move. “Due to the late arrival of the player in Manchester, we were unable to complete the transfer,” Paul Tyrrell, a City official said at 2am, two hours after the window closed.

Redknapp had said earlier in the day that Defoe could only be signed with the proceeds of the sale of Benjani. “It would be nice to have them both but financially that is something we cannot do,” Redknapp, the Portsmouth manager, said.

Defoe, who was omitted from Fabio Capello’s 30-man England squad, has been told that he needs to be playing more regularly if he is to be considered by the Italian. He has started only three Barclays Premier League matches this season.

Defoe will play under Redknapp, who gave the forward his debut for West Ham United as a 17-year-old eight years ago. Defoe turned down a move to Portsmouth, among other clubs, in the summer in the hope of securing a first-team spot at White Hart Lane or a transfer to a side challenging for the top-four places.

He rejected the opportunity recently to extend his contract at Tottenham, which had 18 months remaining. Defoe scored 43 goals in 139 league matches for Tottenham in four years at the club. “When you are not playing football, you can’t expect to get in the England squad,” Defoe said. “I am looking forward to getting my boots on and getting back into the squad. I need to play and score some goals.”

Benjani, the Zimbabwe forward, has scored 12 times this season, twice the number that he managed in the previous campaign. He joined Portsmouth from Auxerre two years ago for £4.1 million.

Tottenham have completed a deal with Hertha Berlin to sign Gilberto, despite reports that the Brazil left back failed a second medical on Wednesday, and allowed Anthony Gardner, the central defender, to join Everton on loan until the end of the season.

Afonso Alves completed a move to Middlesbrough from Heerenveen for as much as £14.9 million, breaking the club record. The Brazil forward signed a 4½-year deal. Bolton Wanderers have signed Grzegorz Rasiak on loan from Southampton. The Poland forward, who has scored eight times this season, disappointed on his previous appearance in the top flight, with Tottenham three years ago. “He is a big, powerful centre forward, who knows where the back of the net is,” Gary Megson, the Bolton manager, said. “He will bring more firepower to the squad and allow us extra attacking options. It is not a panic measure.”

Fulham have signed Paul Stalteri, the right back, on loan from Tottenham. They have also recruited Toni Kallio, the 29-year-old Finland defender, from BSC Young Boys, and Jari Litmanen, his compatriot, from Malmö. The 36-year-old former Liverpool, Ajax and Barcelona forward played for Roy Hodgson when he was the Finland coach. “Although he is not entirely match-fit at the moment,” Hodgson, the Fulham manager, said, “I have no doubt that he will have a big part to play over the coming months and that we shall benefit as a team from his skill and experience.”

Fulham have let Steve Davis, the midfield player, join Rangers on loan.

Andy Reid completed a move to Sunderland in a deal worth up to £4 million. The winger made 40 appearances and scored eight goals in two years at Charlton Athletic. Greg Halford, the right back, has moved on loan in the opposite direction.

Manchester United have signed Manucho Gonçalves from Petro Atlético, the Angolan club. The winger has been sent on loan to Panathinaikos, with a view to the Angola player gaining experience so that he is eligible for a work permit.

David Rozehnal has joined Lazio on loan with a view to a permanent move. The Newcastle United defender has made 21 appearances since he joined for £2.9 million from Paris SaintGermain in the summer.

Derby County have signed Alan Stubbs, the Everton defender, and Roy Carroll, the goalkeeper, from Rangers. Norwich City have signed Kieran Gibbs, the Arsenal midfield player, on loan.

Deals that died . . .

Aston Villa were unable to secure a work permit for Brad Guzan, the CD Chivas and United States goalkeeper. A fee of about £2 million had been agreed. Birmingham City turned down Coventry City’s offer for Gary McSheffrey, the winger. Andreas Isaks-son, the Manchester City goalkeeper, has turned down a move to Galatasaray.