Rivals eye up swoop for Crouch
Pompey are bracing themselves for bids for Peter Crouch.
Sunderland are reportedly lining up a swoop for the Blues striker.
But Blackburn are unlikely to follow-up their initial interest – despite the prospective sale of Roque Santa Cruz.
The Black Cats are desperate for a new front-man and are armed with the spending power following Texan billionaire Elias Short's summer takeover.
Weekend rumours have linked them with a move for Crouch as Steve Bruce looks to start splashing the cash.
The England striker is unhappy over the current uncertainty at Fratton Park while the wait continues for due diligence to be completed.
However, long-time admirers Blackburn are not expected to follow suit.
Santa Cruz is set to undergo a Manchester City medical following a 18m offer from Mark Hughes' club.
Yet that money will not be earmarked for Crouch, with as much as 20 per cent of it heading in the direction of Bayern Munich – Santa Cruz's former club – as part of a sell-on clause.
Rovers are also looking to slash their wage bill – a policy revealed by chairman John Williams earlier this month – and Crouch does not fit into that approach.
Despite being in due diligence, Pompey are still free to wheel and deal in the transfer market.
But it is unlikely the Blues would sell another star asset before the proposed takeover of Sulaiman Al Fahim is completed.
Meanwhile, Pompey have announced a prestigious pre-season friendly against Rangers at Fratton Park.
The Scottish Premier champions will visit the south coast on Saturday, August 8 – the weekend before the start of the Premier League campaign.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
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