The Portsmouth manager has set his sights on bringing in a central defender to help ease the burden on captain Sol Campbell for a season which will be one of the most demanding of the last decade.

Redknapp is at the heart of the action after a Euro 2008 hiatus the transfer machine is now whirring into gear.

Peter Crouch, his record-breaking number one target, has been snaffled from Liverpool for £11m.

But there are others. In a candid interview, Redknapp reveals a left-sided player is now a priority while the hunt for Shaun Wright-Phillips goes on.

He speaks of his interest in Spurs defender Younes Kaboul and reveals an offer has been made for the player, although he fears losing out to Aston Villa.

And he follows up his revelation in The News that he is willing to sacrifice six of his squad to fund his spending, by revealing Hull have made a bid for Noe Pamarot.

Redknapp also explains his cull is likely to include selling a central midfielder, although there have been no bids for the likes of Sean Davis, Pedro Mendes or Richard Hughes.

As Pompey continue their pre-season preparations, the Blues manager speaks about the season ahead, his excitement at the future and concerns over what could be a gruelling campaign.

'We're looking forward to the new season,' said Redknapp, as he thumbs through a copy of When Sol Went Up To Lift the FA Cup over coffee.

'We've got Europe to look forward to for the first time in the club's history and that should be interesting.

'We've got Crouchie now. He was always the most important player to get.

'He gives you something unusual. Obviously he is an unusual player.

'He has ability and is an exciting prospect.

'The only thing which scares me is I think we are a little short on numbers in one or two areas. With the amount of games we have coming up it is going to be hard.

'I think we have 20 good players here. I think we still need two or three. We haven't got young players.

'I can't see Sol Campbell playing Saturday-Thursday-Sunday. I can't see him flying all over Europe next season and then playing at Old Trafford.

'It's not a club of 19 or 20 year olds. Maybe it will be in a few years, but it isn't at the moment.

'I'd like to get a bit of cover on the left if we could.

'I've got no one who could play there. There is no one who naturally can play there. Even Niko is right-sided.

'Left-back is a problem. I played Lauren there and Noe there. We are desperately short on the left. If I could find someone there it would be good. I wouldn't mind finding someone who can give me cover.

'Nicky Shorey is someone who I like, but he isn't going to come cheaply. And I like Shaun Wright-Phillips. I think he and his dad would like him to come here. I took Celestine Babayaro to have a look at him. Avram Grant mentioned him to me.

'His friend looked after him so I said I'd have a look at him, but unfortunately he's got malaria.

'Ian Broomfield (Pompey's chief scout) knows more about the Nadir Belhadj than I do. He says he's a good player.

'Again I don't see anyone coming in until some go though.

'I would like a centre-half.

'Younes Kaboul wants to come here, but I heard Kaboul is going to Villa.

'I don't think there is anything he can do about it.

'If Villa are in for him he may have to go there. I think Peter has made an offer for him.

'We made an offer with what we thought was a fair valuation of him.

'But we have cover there. Noe's here and if he played he wouldn't let you down.

'He's done a great job.

'I think a Premier League club made an offer for him.

'Hull were interested in him.

'We are okay on the right and have loads of options at right-back. We have loads of central midfielders. That's an area where if someone came in for an offer for one of those players you would consider letting them go.

'We want some players and we need to sell a few. We'll see what happens.'

The perennial obscure trialist has been present at Pompey's opening pre-season fixtures.

Redknapp has admitted his interest in OJ Krumah as a player for the future.

But he feels the day of signing top-drawer players after appearing in games on trial is a thing of the past.

That is something Redknapp has learnt from experience in the past 12 months.

'I like OJ. He could be one for the future. He isn't ready for the Premier League, though.

'I used to take trialists because we were always struggling and trying to find players on the cheap to do a job for us.

'Now we don't have so may because we need proper players.

'We are only looking to get in top-drawer players now.

'Top-drawer players won't come on trial in all honesty.

'If you ask an international player to come on trial he is not going to stand for that, unless he's desperate.'

Redknapp has made a break from his usual reticence in setting bold standards for the season ahead.

He has spoken of his desire to secure a top-six berth.

Redknapp says everything for a reason, however.

The Pompey boss is campaigning for resources at this time of year, so that prediction comes with a rider – he needs players.

'I want to finish in the top six if I can,' Redknapp said

'But as I always say – a top-half finish in the Premier League is always brilliant for anybody apart from the top four. If we finish in the top half and have a cup run – like I said last year – it's a good season.

'But then there is Europe, which is going to be interesting.

'It's going to be a good season, but we are going to need a squad.'