Mon Jul 7 11:03:07 2008

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Portsmouth agrees on fee for Liverpool's Crouch

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Portsmouth, England (Sports Network) - Portsmouth have agreed a fee with Liverpool for Peter Crouch and the striker is now set to hold talks with the south coast club over a nearly $20 million move to Fratton Park.

Pompey boss Harry Redknapp had seen two previous bids for Crouch rejected by the Anfield club and had vowed not to pay over the odds for the England striker.

But the two clubs have now agreed a fee for a player who had been expected to move on this summer after revealing his frustration at a lack of starting opportunities.

"We have reached a verbal agreement with Portsmouth and have given them permission to speak with Peter," confirmed a Reds spokesman.

Crouch spent one season at Portsmouth six years ago under Redknapp, before moving on to Aston Villa, Southampton and then the Reds in 2005.

He scored 42 goals in 135 games during his time on Merseyside despite struggling to hold down a starting place in manager Rafael Benitez's plans.

Crouch will form a new-look strike partnership with fellow England international Jermain Defoe at Fratton Park in the forthcoming season should he agree personal terms at Fratton Park.

(Courtesy of sportbox.tv)