Liverpool have rejected an attempt by Portsmouth to take Peter
Crouch back to Fratton Park but their resolve may be tested again
before the transfer deadline as Harry Redknapp targets the England
striker as a replacement for David Nugent.
The Portsmouth manager, who is prepared to sell Nugent one month
after his £6m transfer from Preston, has turned his attention to
the unsettled Crouch, having struggled to lure Nicolas Anelka from
Bolton. Contact was made between officials of Portsmouth and
Liverpool at the weekend, when the Anfield club made clear their
opposition to a sale.
Portsmouth would have to offer a fee of about £12m and even then a
return to the club where Crouch scored 18 goals in 37 league games
in 2001-2002 would need to be sought by him rather than Liverpool.
His manager, Rafael Benítez, has made it clear that Crouch remains
in his plans.