Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez yesterday pledged that it would take £15 million to persuade him to part with Peter Crouch and maintained he would not give up his pursuit of Aston Villa's Gareth Barry.
Crouch has a year remaining on his contract and has expressed his frustration at his irregular appearances, having made just nine starts in the Premier League this season. Benitez said that the forward, 27, who would interest Portsmouth, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Newcastle, was worth more than double the £7 million he cost from Southampton three years ago.
Benitez claimed Crouch was offered a new contract in December but insisted the fact that the striker could leave for nothing next summer had not put extra pressure on Liverpool to sell.
"If we receive a very good offer, and by that I mean £15 million, we will consider it," Benitez said. "I'm reading about £8 million, but if we only receive that, then I'd rather keep him. We've offered him a new contract."
After he received criticism from Martin O'Neill over the method and make-up of Liverpool's approach for Barry, which was an offer of cash plus players and worth around £10 million, Benitez maintained that he spoke to his Aston Villa counter-part three weeks ago before a bid was lodged.
"I had a private conversation with him, he knew my idea and needed to talk with his owners," Benitez added. "We needed to make an official movement. I don't have any problem waiting and then talk again with him."
Benitez, who is open to offers for John Arne Riise, confirmed that Harry Kewell would leave this summer. He will also look to replace first-team coach Alex Miller, who has joined Japanese club JEF United Chiba.
