Pompey accept Spurs' Crouch bid

Hart admits club have no choice but to cash in on striker

Last updated: 26th July 2009  

Pompey accept Spurs' Crouch bid

Crouch: Set for Spurs

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Paul Hart has confirmed Portsmouth have accepted an offer from Tottenham Hotspur for striker Peter Crouch.

The 28-year-old started out at Spurs and his career now appears set to come full circle as he prepares to discuss a return to White Hart Lane.

Crouch held talks with Sunderland earlier this month, but rejected a move to the North East due to geographical reasons, according to Black Cats boss Steve Bruce.

Spurs and Fulham had been mooted as suitors of the England international, with Harry Redknapp stating his interest in signing Crouch again.

The Spurs manager had feared a deal would be 'too expensive', but Pompey have now accepted a bid, believed to be in the region of £10million.

Crouch has spent just one season at Fratton Park after joining from Liverpool, but Portsmouth boss Hart admits the club have no choice but to cash in.

Disappointed

"Obviously I'm disappointed to see Peter leave, but given the severe financial restraints in place here we had no choice but to accept an offer from Tottenham," Hart told the Sunday Mirror.

"I think people need to realise that Pompey have been punching above their weight and could no longer sustain the level of spending that has gone on here over the last three years."

Hart also insisted that the takeover spearheaded by Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim would not lead to a Manchester City style spending spree on the South Coast.

He added: "Even though a new owner is poised to come in our dealings in the market will be modest in comparison to the past."

Click Here for Your Free Bet