Premier League Rumour Mill: Redknapp looks to fight off the vultures by offering Benjani a new deal

Pompey's successful start to the season has alerted big spenders both at home and abroad to the talent on display at the South Coast club.

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Juventus are interested in skilful striker Benjani but Portsmouth are ready to fend off any approach from the Serie A giants by offering the 29-year-old striker a new contract.

Benjani has already scored eight times this season and his link up play with his team-mates is exceptional.

He has 18 months remaining on the pact he signed when he joined from Auxerre for a bargain £4.1million a couple of summers ago and Redknapp is ready to begin talks over an extension to that deal.

And Pompey boss Redknapp insisted: "Benjani is going nowhere.

"He is a big player for us, an important one. (Chief executive) Peter Storrie is going to sit down with him and start talking about another contract. He has come so far for us and it's great to see him scoring goals.

"It's good to see him getting his reward for how he's been playing. He is full of confidence at the moment and it's brilliant to see.

"The way Benjani shrugged off Micah Richards in the first half against Manchester City on Sunday showed that. He just knocked off the ball a player with his strength and power. He's on fire at the moment. Nothing can stop him."

Redknapp also dismissed suggestions versatile left-sided player Matt Taylor is on his way to Sunderland and added: "I have not heard a thing from Roy Keane about Matty. I spoke to him only last Friday, he rang up to ask me about Newcastle before they played them.

"Matt Taylor was never, ever discussed. He has not played a lot lately but Niko Kranjcar has been playing well. But he's not the only one who has been missing out."

Black Cats boss Keane, meanwhile, will launch a fresh loan bid for Manchester United's Jonny Evans after losing Nyron Nosworthy through injury.

Newcastle striker Michael Owen is not impressed with new boss Sam Allardyce. The England international will not ask for a transfer but will not hesitate to desert from the Toon Army if the right club makes an official approach in the January transfer window.

Arsenal's Abou Diaby may also be on the move next year but has ruled out joining a new club until the summer and Reading are lining up a £3m move for Morocco defender Badr El Kaddouri in case they lose Nicky Shorey to West Ham.

Derby boss Billy Davies expects to sign half a dozen new players in the transfer window with Portsmouth striker David Nugent still topping his list while Manchester City have taken three triallists from Chinese club Shanghai Shen Hua - striker Gao Lin, goalkeeper Wang Da Lei and midfielder Mao Jianqing.

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce is flying out to Dubai on a family holiday leaving City and Wigan to fight it out for his signature.

And Burnley may now move for former Preston manager Paul Simpson after an approach to talk to Sheffield Wednesday manager Brian Laws was rejected by Owls chairman David Allen.

Rumour of the day: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is looking at Congo striker Tresor Mputu, dubbed the next Samuel Eto'o.

No chance: Gunners midfielder Cesc Fabregas has dashed any hopes Real Madrid and Barcelona might have retained of signing him by saying he has no intention of returning to Spain.