Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp admits he would keep Jermain Defoe at Portsmouth if he was still in charge at Fratton Park.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie have been in talks over the 26-year-old, who wants a move back to White Hart Lane after leaving just over a year ago.
"The chairman and Peter Storrie are trying to do a deal," said Redknapp, ahead of Spurs' Carling Cup semi-final against Burnley. "Unless they do a deal, we'll move on. If they want to do a deal they will.
"It's their choice to say he is not for sale. I wouldn't have sold him if I was manager at Portsmouth and Tottenham came back in, I'd be keeping him."
Redknapp's reaction formed part of his defence when asked if he has unsettled players at other teams.
Another Redknapp target who wants to leave his current club is winger Stewart Downing, who has submitted a transfer request to Middlesbrough.
"It's the same (with Stewart Downing), I wouldn't sell him if I didn't want to," Redknapp said.
"If they want to leave, they have their reasons. If Defoe has got reasons why he wants to come back to Tottenham, fine."
Boro labelled Levy's initial offer as "derisory" but Redknapp added: "The chairman has made a big offer but Middlesbrough are a good club with a great chairman and if he doesn't want to sell him, it's his right to do that."
Redknapp is desperate to bolster his squad for the second part of the season, with the first-leg clash against Burnley highlighting his problems.
Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Jermaine Jenas are suspended, while Tom Huddlestone's ankle injury and Darren Bent's groin problem mean they join Alan Hutton on the sidelines.
Skipper Ledley King could also rest his knee ahead of the Barclays Premier League clash against Wigan at the weekend, with Spurs desperately needing points to climb away from the relegation zone.
It means Fraizer Campbell and Roman Pavlyuchenko, Redknapp's only fit senior strikers, are set to start in attack.
"They performed well in their last match together and I was pleased with the partnership they struck up," Redknapp said. "They did well against Liverpool earlier in the competition as well."
Midfielder Hossam Ghaly is in contention for a place in the squad, despite the angry reaction from Spurs fans when he stripped off to come on as a substitute in the FA Cup win over Wigan. Redknapp was forced to bring on a different player instead.
Supporters remembered when he threw his shirt to the ground in his last appearance two seasons ago, after being brought off the bench and getting replaced again.
"I don't think he was being disrespectful to Tottenham. I've seen other players take their shirts off when they get taken off," Redknapp said.
"He was just was very annoyed at being brought on and then subbed. Who wouldn't be annoyed? That is as low as you can go.
"If you're supposed to have a smile on your face then you're in the wrong game. That was a rarity. People should forgive and forget - let's move on."
Against Burnley, Spurs want to avoid being the Coca-Cola Championship side's fourth top-flight scalp. The other teams have also been from London.
"They've done well," Redknapp said. "I watched them on Saturday against QPR and they are well organised and have experienced players.
"They've had a fantastic run - Chelsea, Fulham and Arsenal - so we won't be underestimating them."
