Portsmouth snub Monaco bid for Kranjcar

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has rejected a Monaco bid of 12 million pounds (15 million euros) for Croatia midfielder Niko Kranjcar.

Kranjcar, 23, is one of Europe's most promising playmakers and had a key role in Portsmouth's FA Cup success last season, as well as helping Croatia reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2008.

Redknapp has no intention of selling one of his prize assets as he prepares to lead Portsmouth into the UEFA Cup for the first time and was scathing about Monaco's interest.

“Monaco have come in for Niko and offered around 12 million pounds for him,” he told The News. “We wouldn't sell him and he didn't want to go anyway so that was the end of that one.

“No disrespect, but why would he want to go there anyway? They get 6,000 people watching them.

“You go there on a weekend and it's a unique experience, people aren't interested in the football. They all go out on the Saturday night and get dressed up for dinner, not to watch football.”