Spurs fume at Liverpool's Benitez over Defoe claimstribalfootball.com - March 25, 2006Tottenham are furious with Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez over claims they're desperate to sell striker Jermain Defoe.
Benitez said the London club were "desperate" to offload Defoe.
But Spurs chairman Daniel Levy said: "There is no element of truth in the claim. It is unprecedented that any manager should comment in this way on another team's player.
"It could be interpreted as a blatant attempt to unsettle Jermain. I expect Mr Benitez to withdraw his wholly inappropriate and inaccurate comments."
Benitez was reacting after Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse's agent claimed Tottenham would move to sign the Frenchman in the summer.
That led to rumours that Defoe, who has not been a first-team regular this season, might move in the opposite direction.
"Spurs are desperate to sell Defoe," said Benitez.
"They're trying to sell the player and Cisse is in the middle, but he is our player - and at the moment I am happy with my strikers.
"Spurs talk about Cisse, they are desperate to sell."
However, Tottenham manager Martin Jol has stated he is not interested in signing Cisse and Levy reiterated that position.
In a strongly-worded statement published on Tottenham's official website, Levy added: "We have previously said, and I repeat, we have absolutely no intention of making an offer to Cisse or (Manchester United striker) Louis Saha.
"On all these issues, I resent having to put the record straight when it should never have been put into question."
Benitez said the London club were "desperate" to offload Defoe.
But Spurs chairman Daniel Levy said: "There is no element of truth in the claim. It is unprecedented that any manager should comment in this way on another team's player.
"It could be interpreted as a blatant attempt to unsettle Jermain. I expect Mr Benitez to withdraw his wholly inappropriate and inaccurate comments."
Benitez was reacting after Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse's agent claimed Tottenham would move to sign the Frenchman in the summer.
That led to rumours that Defoe, who has not been a first-team regular this season, might move in the opposite direction.
"Spurs are desperate to sell Defoe," said Benitez.
"They're trying to sell the player and Cisse is in the middle, but he is our player - and at the moment I am happy with my strikers.
"Spurs talk about Cisse, they are desperate to sell."
However, Tottenham manager Martin Jol has stated he is not interested in signing Cisse and Levy reiterated that position.
In a strongly-worded statement published on Tottenham's official website, Levy added: "We have previously said, and I repeat, we have absolutely no intention of making an offer to Cisse or (Manchester United striker) Louis Saha.
"On all these issues, I resent having to put the record straight when it should never have been put into question."
