Peter Storrie has described claims that Glen Johnson has had a clandestine meeting with Liverpool as ‘outrageous’, with the Portsmouth chief executive further underlining that Jermain Defoe will remain at the club unless a huge offer is received.
With rumours of a winter exodus growing at Fratton Park in the wake of Lassana Diarra’s move to Real Madrid, the latest rumour Portsmouth have been forced to contend with is a national newspaper reporting that England international Johnson recently visited Liverpool’s Melwood training ground.
The right back has been strongly linked with a possible January move to Anfield following some excellent performances on the South Coast but Storrie insists that The Reds have not been in contact regarding a possible transfer.
Indeed, Johnson has apparently been angered by the suggestion that he visited Liverpool’s facilities in anticipation of an imminent move and is requesting an apology from the newspaper involved.
“We have had no approaches for any of our players and that includes Glen,” Storrie told The News.
“I know that his agent has taken this story up with the newspaper and is pushing for an apology.
“Glen is livid, everyone is, it's an outrageous story.
“To say we have had a bid for him is a lie, it's just silly season.”
Storrie has also moved to calm fears over the future of Defoe, who has seen his name hit the headlines after former Pompey manager Harry Redknapp claimed that his new side, Tottenham, had been outbid in an attempt to lure the striker back to White Hart Lane.
Redknapp’s replacement at Fratton Park, Tony Adams, has since denied receiving any formal offers for the England international and now Storrie has explained that the club rebuffed an enquiry from a mystery party, telling the interested club that only a bid of giant proportions could convince Pompey to sell their star man.
“We have had a tentative enquiry about Jermain and told the club concerned he was not for sale unless it was for a very, very big offer.
“As with any of our players, obviously if an exceptional offer came in, such as that for Lassana Diarra, we would consider it, as any club would. But no-one has made a bid.”