Liverpool have rejected an opening offer from Portsmouth for striker Peter Crouch.

The Guardian says Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp, 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 Benitez, has made it clear that Crouch remains in his plans.