City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is also close to taking Ecuador striker Felipe Caicedo, 19, to Eastlands in a £5m switch from FC Basle, while midfielder Ousmane Dabo has left for Lazio.

This evening’s other main activity has seen Newcastle defender David Rozehnal join Lazio on loan for the rest of the campaign, while Liverpool have denied reports that they have signed long-term loan midfielder Javier Mascherano on a permanent deal – although terms are thought to have been agreed on a four-year contract.

Redknapp confirmed this evening that he was hopeful of taking Defoe to the south coast – and providing him with the game time to force his way back into the England squad after his omission earlier today.

“He will be a great signing for us. He needs to play,” he told Sky Sports News.

“Jermain is a top player. He’s too good not to play and I think he’s a fantastic goalscorer. It will be great to have him here.”

Redknapp also confirmed that Benjani’s transfer was dependent on his securing Defoe’s services.

Another major deal which looks poised to go through this evening should see Afonso Alves finally seal his move to Middlesbrough from Heerenveen, after he successfully gained a work permit on appeal.

North-east rivals Sunderland have also been active, bringing in Republic of Ireland midfielder Andy Reid, 25, in a deal which could be worth up to £4million, while Greg Halford moved on loan in the opposite direction.

It has been one in, one out at Bolton, who have taken Southampton frontman Grzegorz Rasiak on loan for the rest of the campaign but allowed midfielder Christian Wilhelmsson to go out on loan to Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna.

Earlier today, Fulham reunited Finland great Jari Litmanen with former national team boss Roy Hodgson, while also bringing in the striker’s international team-mate Toni Kallio. The defender joins from Swiss side BSC Young Boys.

Derby, meanwhile, moved to plug their leaky defence this afternoon with the capture of Everton stalwart Alan Stubbs.

They earlier completed the formalities of Roy Carroll’s transfer from Rangers, with Rams goalkeeping rival Stephen Bywater heading to Ipswich on loan.

Aston Villa and Birmingham have not been so fortunate, with Villa having their work-permit application for £2.2million Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan rejected.

Birmingham have abandoned hopes of signing Georgia international Levan Tskitishvili for the same reason.

Manchester City face a similar problem in their bid to recruit Nashat Akram and were waiting to see whether the Home Office would reconsider its decision to refuse the Iraq midfielder a work permit.

Spurs were at the centre of a number of intriguing rumours, and PA Sport understands they may yet resurrect a £7.5million move for Hertha Berlin left-back Gilberto.

The Bundesliga club claimed earlier today the deal was dead after the results of a second medical yesterday.

PA Sport also understands Spurs are not planning to bid for Newcastle midfielder Charles N’Zogbia, whose agent Willie McKay reportedly claimed the clubs were in talks over the 21-year-old.

Fulham’s hopes of making Rangers striker Daniel Cousin their third signing of the day hang in the balance after FIFA claimed yesterday they had still to make a decision on his £3million transfer.

Cousin played 20 minutes of league football as a substitute for French club Lens before completing his summer switch to Rangers and FIFA regulations forbid a player from playing for more than two clubs in one season.

Manchester United’s Angola striker Manucho, who only moved to Old Trafford last month, was set to join Greek side Panathinaikos on loan.

Newcastle tied up the signing of 17-year-old Atalanta starlet Fabio Zamblera, while Coca-Cola Championship side West Brom have turned striker Ishmael Miller’s loan move from Manchester City into a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee.

In Scotland, Dundee United midfielder Barry Robson has joined Celtic in a £1million deal after passing a medical this evening, but Rangers have missed out on Andrea Caracciolo, who has joined Brescia.

Although midnight is the official cut-off point for transfers, special dispensation to complete signings beyond that deadline can be sought.