Name your price, say Pompey

Portsmouth have again told Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill they will not sell want-away striker Jermain Defoe on the cheap.

The FA Cup winners confirmed yesterday they expect England striker Defoe to leave in January, with Tottenham and Villa leading the chase for his signature.

Pompey have already received a tentative enquiry from an unnamed club but will not entertain a cut-price offer for the former Tottenham goal-getter.

"It looks like Jermain wants to go. That is something we will be speaking to him about," said Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie.

"If Jermain goes it will be at our price and if there is an offer which appeals. We have always said we do not keep people who do not want to play for Portsmouth. We do not have to sell anyone but if he wants to go that is a different matter."

O'Neill is also understood to be keeping an eye of fellow striker Peter Crouch's situation at Fratton Park because of John Carew's ongoing back injury.