Portsmouth have rejected an initial transfer approach from Liverpool for their highly-rated England Under 21's skipper Gary O'Neil.
Manager Rafael Benitez is believed to be planning a £2.5million January raid with chief executive Rick Parry having already put out the feelers about how welcome a bid would be in the new year.
Speaking about the recent interest the midfielder is receiving, Pompey chairman Milan Mandaric said: "There have been three or four enquiries from top Premiership clubs, but O'Neil's a Portsmouth boy and I want him to stay here.
"There are big clubs hovering around but I want him to stay. I want his future to be nowhere else but Portsmouth. We have built a team here and it would send out the wrong message to sell him."
Despite Mandaric playing hard to get, there are suggestions that a bid of £4million would be accepted.
O'Neil signed for Portsmouth as a trainee in 1999 and has made rapid progress ever since. He's described as "a hardworking and perceptive midfielder, who is quick because of his slight build".
With Didi Hamann coming to the end of his Liverpool career, the boss wants to strengthen the midfield and O'Neil looks to be on his wanted list.
Jay -- LIVERPOOL FC - KINGS OF EUROPE MANCHE$TER BUCCANEERS & BLUEpooE - KINGS OF COMEDY
