Aston Villa edge ahead in race to sign Peter Crouch Jun 5 2008 by
Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post
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.