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 BenÃtez, has made it clear that Crouch remains in his plans.