Liverpool set to enter bidding for striker
Crouch?
Liverpool have emerged as shock contenders to take Peter Crouch
back to Anfield in a £12m deal.
Crouch joined Liverpool in 2005.
The 6' 7'' striker spurned Sunderland's approaches and has been
linked with moves to Tottenham and Fulham; but Anfield boss Rafa
Benitez reportedly has the 28-year-old on his radar according to
the Daily Star.
Crouch spent three years at the the club before Benitez sold him to
Portsmouth in an £11m deal last year, but the Reds are keen to type
up a deal for another striker after being outpriced in their
efforts to get David Villa.
Portsmouth boss Paul Hart is already resigned to losing him,
despite Sulaiman Al Fahim's takeover of the club but told the
Portsmouth News that he was unconcerned by the delay over his
move.
He said: ''I don't even think about those things, it's not an
intrusion. Peter Crouch is a fantastic kid. He has been training
with us, what hardship is that? It isn't, it's just
brilliant.
''If it goes on, it goes on. It's absolutely no hardship to us, the
longer he stays it's fine, it wouldn't affect us because he's a
pleasure to have around the place.''
However, with his transfer pending, Hart has ruled out playing
Crouch in the club's pre-season games.
He added: ''It would probably be a little bit silly if l did play
him - I don't want to take any risks there.''