Harry Redknapp has revealed that he tried to sign Mario Balotelli during his time in charge of Tottenham Hotspur.
• Redknapp in dark over Modric
Redknapp parted company with Tottenham earlier this month after the club failed to qualify for next season's Champions League.
Since his exit, Redknapp has been a keen observer of Euro 2012, which saw Balotelli score an impressive brace for Italy against Germany on Thursday night to set up a final versus Spain on Sunday.
Balotelli, 21, plies his domestic trade at Manchester City, having joined from Inter Milan for £24 million in 2010, and Redknapp has revealed he tried to bring the striker to White Hart Lane.
Redknapp said: "You never know what you're going to get with Mario Balotelli but one thing is certain - he is a major talent.
"He stunned Germany in the Euro 2012 semi-final and his second goal was fantastic. I actually tried to sign him for Tottenham before he went to Manchester City. I'd admired him for a while and I went over to Italy to watch him play. I was impressed and I met up with him too.
"We wanted him on a loan deal but his club weren't keen and it never happened. Shame because he's definitely got it and, at only 21-years-old, he'll be terrorising defenders for many seasons to come."
