Pompey to back Adams in January sales

Portsmouth executive chairman Peter Storrie has promised to back manager Tony Adams in the transfer window and warned anyone interested in Jermain Defoe, it will take an exceptional offer to secure him.

Pompey have already secured full-back Nadir Belhadj on a permanent deal for £4.4m after he impressed during his loan from Lens.

Adams brought in £20m from the sale of Lassana Diarra to Real Madrid but Portsmouth have not confirmed how much of that will be available to the manager.

However, Storrie told the Portsmouth News: “I never talk about money but Tony will be given the means if he wants to strengthen the squad.

“From talking to him I know he is looking to do most of his business in the summer. That’s when he feels we will get more value for money and more players are available.

“But we are still talking to people now and are looking to bring in two or three during the transfer window to improve the squad.

“All this about selling this player and that player, it’s utter rubbish. We are primarily looking to recruit and are planning to bring players in.

“It would take something exceptional or the player wanting to move on somewhere for anyone else to leave.”

Storrie also confirmed Lauren and Richard Duffy would be released from their contracts this month if they can find an employer.

He added: “Lauren and Duffy have asked if they can leave in January and we have said they can.

“They have to find new clubs, however, and their agents are currently circulating their names.”