No go Niko, insists Redknapp

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The Croatia midfielder, 23, finally fulfilled his sizeable potential with a cracking Pompey goal at Fulham on Saturday - his first for the club - after reports former club Hajduk Split were interested in taking him back this summer.

But Redknapp, appears unwilling to let him go, saying: "We've bought him, he's not a loan. He belongs to us. I swear I have no idea what what we paid for him, but he's a terrific footballer and I'm keen on him and want to keep him."

Redknapp added: "This boy has everything. He can take a knock, has lovely touch and great skill. He's a good size, six feet tall and strong. I just think he could get himself a bit fitter for next season.

"He plays all the time for Croatia, who are in England's (Euro 2008 qualifying) group, as we know.

"His dad was their coach and took them to World Cup last year before Slaven Bilic took over. Slaven helped us get Niko in the summer.

"I just think he's still adjusting to the pace of the English game which he's never really witnessed before. But he can play. He can put his foot on the ball, pick a pass and, if he shot more, would score goals regularly.

"That was a great strike against Fulham for his first and I have told him he should get more instead of always trying to play people in."

Kranjcar, who signed a three-year contract as part of the £2.5million deal that took him to Fratton Park, said: "It will be up to the club if I stay here next season. If they say they want to keep me I will be happy with that."

But he added: "If a bigger club than Portsmouth comes along and say they would like to take me I would, of course, be interested. Ask any footballer and he would give you the same answer. That is the way things are but we'll see what happens in the summer."