Storrie reiterates Distin stance

Distin: In demand

Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie has reiterated the club's desire to retain the services of Sylvain Distin.

The South Coast outfit have already lost key duo Peter Crouch and Glen Johnson this summer, while Sulaiman Al Fahim's takeover of the side remains incomplete.

It has been claimed French defender Distin could be the next high-profile name to leave Fratton Park, with Sunderland, Aston Villa and Liverpool credited with an interest.

Storrie, though, intends to keep Distin at Pompey as he sees the centre-back as a key part of the club's plans for the new season.

He told The News: "The situation with Sylvain is very clear, if I wanted to sell him I could have done it two or three times - but I flatly turned him down.

"We have made Sylvain an offer for a two-year extension to his contract.

"I think he probably just wants to wait and see if we can bring a couple of players in, which we are trying to do at this moment in time.

"Then I hope he will sign a contract. We have turned down offers and will continue to turn down offers.

"He's been one of our best players for several seasons now and we want him to stay."