CROUCH OUT BUT XABI MOVE OFF?

Liverpool are set to offload Peter Crouch to Portsmouth but Xabi Alonso's switch to Juventus could be off.

With the Reds still struggling to raise the £18m Martin O'Neill is demanding for Gareth Barry, reports that Juventus have decided to pull out of the move for Xabi Alonso will be a blow.

The Italian club are apparently reluctant to pay the £16m asking price for the Spaniard, which once again puts the Barry move in doubt.

But Liverpool will at least receive a boost with the £8m Portsmouth are offering up front for Crouch, with the rest of the £11m fee set to arrive in add-ons. The Reds have confirmed that they have given Crouch permission to talk to Portsmouth.

Crouch is expected to undergo a medical on the south coast within the next 24 hours after choosing a return to Portsmouth over alternative offers from Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United.

The Barry switch could hinge on Villa and Liverpool agreeing a compromise deal that includes Steve Finnan, with the Liverpool Echo suggesting that Villa are keen on the idea as they are in dire need of a right-back.