Liverpool will attempt a shock move to re-sign striker Peter Crouch from Portsmouth.
Despite severe financial restrictions in place at Anfield, manager Rafa Benitez will attempt to try to land Crouch for as little as £4million.
The Anfield club are not alone in wanting Crouch.
Five other clubs - Blackburn, Sunderland, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Tottenham - have declared their interest in the lanky striker.
But Liverpool have a distinct advantage because Pompey still owe them half of the original £8m transfer fee, which is due to be paid over the next 18 months.
The deal to take Crouch to Fratton Park was spread over the two-and-half years of a four-year contract.
That's why, when Pompey were attempting to deal with a financial crisis a few weeks ago, Liverpool thought they could make a bargain signing.
However, Portsmouth's new wealth under their prospective owner Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim appears to ensure that there is no immediate requirement to sell Crouch.
And even if Pompey decided to cash in on him, they are likely to favour a deal with another club who are prepared to make a far bigger cash offer than Liverpool.
Crouch rejected three offers to stay at Liverpool prior to his £8m move to the south coast last summer and Pompey have now slapped a £10m premium on his head, valuing him at about £18m.
The marksman became increasingly frustrated sitting on the Anfield bench and demanded regular first-team football.
Harry Redknapp, the Portsmouth manager at the time, guaranteed Crouch a place in the side in a dream partnership alongside fellow England international Jermain Defoe.
Defoe has subsequently followed Redknapp to Tottenham - and if he can raise funds by selling fringe players, the Spurs boss would like to work with Crouch again.
Despite severe financial restrictions in place at Anfield, manager Rafa Benitez will attempt to try to land Crouch for as little as £4million.
The Anfield club are not alone in wanting Crouch.
Five other clubs - Blackburn, Sunderland, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Tottenham - have declared their interest in the lanky striker.
But Liverpool have a distinct advantage because Pompey still owe them half of the original £8m transfer fee, which is due to be paid over the next 18 months.
The deal to take Crouch to Fratton Park was spread over the two-and-half years of a four-year contract.
That's why, when Pompey were attempting to deal with a financial crisis a few weeks ago, Liverpool thought they could make a bargain signing.
However, Portsmouth's new wealth under their prospective owner Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim appears to ensure that there is no immediate requirement to sell Crouch.
And even if Pompey decided to cash in on him, they are likely to favour a deal with another club who are prepared to make a far bigger cash offer than Liverpool.
Crouch rejected three offers to stay at Liverpool prior to his £8m move to the south coast last summer and Pompey have now slapped a £10m premium on his head, valuing him at about £18m.
The marksman became increasingly frustrated sitting on the Anfield bench and demanded regular first-team football.
Harry Redknapp, the Portsmouth manager at the time, guaranteed Crouch a place in the side in a dream partnership alongside fellow England international Jermain Defoe.
Defoe has subsequently followed Redknapp to Tottenham - and if he can raise funds by selling fringe players, the Spurs boss would like to work with Crouch again.
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