Pompey open to offers but Redknapp denies cash crisis

Harry Redknapp
Harry Redknapp insists he won't have to sell in January. Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images

Harry Redknapp has denied reports that financial worries at Portsmouth mean he will be forced to sell players in January to reduce overheads. Reports yesterday said Sasha Gaydamak, the club's owner, is willing to sell for an initial £20m and that with debts of £60m, he and his fellow directors fear incurring huge losses this season.

The club released a statement yesterday which attempted to dismiss the story, but it was contradictory to say the least. "The club's owner has clearly stated that the club is not for sale but should the right offer be forthcoming, serious consideration would be given to the proposal," it read. "The financial position of the club is clearly audited and is consistent with its peers in the football industry."

Redknapp cut through the jargon to suggest with regard to the latter point that the common theme is that everybody is in debt. He sought to reassure the supporters that if anyone is to be sold in January it would be on his authority, and would only be done to raise funds to strengthen the squad in other areas.

"I spoke to him [Gaydamak] today and he said, 'We don't have to sell anybody'," Redknapp claimed. "He said, 'It's your decision. There won't be any players leaving unless [you] want to sell'. Maybe you find someone who you want to strengthen and you might have to sell another player.

"I had to sell Sulley Muntari [to Internazionale], who I didn't want to lose but I wanted Peter Crouch [from Liverpool] so I had to sacrifice Sulley. I didn't want to lose Benjani [to Manchester City], I loved Benji but I wanted [Jermain] Defoe, who is younger. That's how it works and every team is the same."

Redknapp said he is "not worried at all" by the new trend for predatory billionaire buyers. "You show me a football club that is not up for sale. Every football club has a price. I don't know if the owner wants to sell but there's not a club in the country that has not got a price on it somewhere. I don't think he's chasing around trying to sell it... that's the economic situation.

"You show me a club that isn't in a bit of debt, but we have fantastic assets here and they are on the pitch," Redknapp added. "I turned down £15m for [Lassana] Diarra on deadline day. We're not in any trouble here. Have a look at the players that you could sell. The owner [is] like everybody if somebody comes along and offers crazy money. I think there are always takers, but he's been brilliant. He's backed me all the way, we've built a good squad and we don't have to sell anyone in January."

  • I Am The Secret Footballer Small Graphic


Today's best video

Today in pictures