Aston Villa are edging ahead in the race to sign Peter Crouch - as Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp officially declared his interest in the Liverpool forward.
The Midlanders are considering taking Crouch back to Villa Park in a deal that could finally pave the way for Gareth Barry’s departure to Anfield.
Martin O’Neill is reluctant to lose his captain but with Liverpool lining up their next bid, the Villa manager is believed to be willing to accept Crouch as part of a £15million package.
Crouch has previously been tipped to return to another of his former clubs, Portsmouth – but Redknapp admits he is being priced out in the current climate.
“I don’t know if the avenue for Peter Crouch is shut or not,” Redknapp said.
“If Liverpool are asking £15m for him it is certainly shut.
“I like Peter, but he belongs to Liverpool at the moment.
“If the price is right something could happen. If they wanted £10million it would certainly be more interesting. We do need another front man.
“At the moment we have David Nugent, Kanu and Jermain Defoe. We need another one up there, at least.
“You need to have at least four strikers. So I need another good one up there.”
Liverpool are willing to cash in on Crouch while he seeks the type of regular first-team football manager Rafael Benitez is unable to guarantee him.
Newcastle are also monitoring the situation as they have long and short-term doubts over all their current crop of forwards and he also saw his top target Dean Ashton committing his future to West Ham by signing a new five-year deal last night.
He is also hoping to raise the funds to bring John Arne Riise from his former club.
Also close to the Anfield exit is Xabi Alonso, whose agent has claimed further talks are planned between Liverpool and Juventus with a view to the Spain international moving to Serie A.
Ignacio Ibanez said: “Juventus have expressed an interest in acquiring Xabi. The clubs have spoken and they will speak again.
“But it’s down to Liverpool to decide whether they want to sell the player or not. From my part I am waiting to see what happens.”
Alonso was one of Benitez’s first signings when he took over as manager four years ago, arriving for £10.5million from Real Sociedad.
He will feature for Spain in Euro 2008 before finalising any potential move.
One piece of business that has been done between Liverpool and an Italian club is the signing of left-back Andrea Dossena.
His £7million move will be completed after he took his medical on Merseyside yesterday.
The player’s agent, Federico Pastorello, said: “Everything is confirmed and we have already exchanged documents via fax. The deal is practically done.”
The Midlanders are considering taking Crouch back to Villa Park in a deal that could finally pave the way for Gareth Barry’s departure to Anfield.
Martin O’Neill is reluctant to lose his captain but with Liverpool lining up their next bid, the Villa manager is believed to be willing to accept Crouch as part of a £15million package.
Crouch has previously been tipped to return to another of his former clubs, Portsmouth – but Redknapp admits he is being priced out in the current climate.
“I don’t know if the avenue for Peter Crouch is shut or not,” Redknapp said.
“If Liverpool are asking £15m for him it is certainly shut.
“I like Peter, but he belongs to Liverpool at the moment.
“If the price is right something could happen. If they wanted £10million it would certainly be more interesting. We do need another front man.
“At the moment we have David Nugent, Kanu and Jermain Defoe. We need another one up there, at least.
“You need to have at least four strikers. So I need another good one up there.”
Liverpool are willing to cash in on Crouch while he seeks the type of regular first-team football manager Rafael Benitez is unable to guarantee him.
Newcastle are also monitoring the situation as they have long and short-term doubts over all their current crop of forwards and he also saw his top target Dean Ashton committing his future to West Ham by signing a new five-year deal last night.
He is also hoping to raise the funds to bring John Arne Riise from his former club.
Also close to the Anfield exit is Xabi Alonso, whose agent has claimed further talks are planned between Liverpool and Juventus with a view to the Spain international moving to Serie A.
Ignacio Ibanez said: “Juventus have expressed an interest in acquiring Xabi. The clubs have spoken and they will speak again.
“But it’s down to Liverpool to decide whether they want to sell the player or not. From my part I am waiting to see what happens.”
Alonso was one of Benitez’s first signings when he took over as manager four years ago, arriving for £10.5million from Real Sociedad.
He will feature for Spain in Euro 2008 before finalising any potential move.
One piece of business that has been done between Liverpool and an Italian club is the signing of left-back Andrea Dossena.
His £7million move will be completed after he took his medical on Merseyside yesterday.
The player’s agent, Federico Pastorello, said: “Everything is confirmed and we have already exchanged documents via fax. The deal is practically done.”
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