Redknapp appears to still have his eye on Tottenham’s Jermain Defoe now former Fratton Park idol Ayegbeni Yakubu has completed his move from Middlesbrough to Everton and Bolton’s Nicolas Anelka is being linked with a move back to Manchester City.

There are only two snags for Redknapp. He needs to sell before he can buy again after splashing out £23m on seven summer signings.

And it is believed Nugent, 22, wants to stay after signing from Preston on a three-year contract.

Derby, where Nugent’s old Preston boss Billy Davies is in charge, want to close a deal to take him to Pride Park just 49 days after Pompey shelled out a reported £6m for him.

And Redknapp admitted: “It is down to what David wants to do. I brought him in here and I like him but it is no secret that Derby want to buy him.

“They have been in for him and if David wants to go he can go.”

Nugent, though, was given major backing by Pompey fans as he added to two strikes by defender Noe Pamarot to seal Pompey’s Carling Cup place in the third round.

He said: “To hear them chanting my name was really special. They have backed me all the way and now I hope the goals will start flying in for me.

“I wanted to show them I can score goals and hopefully there will more now. That one has really lifted my confidence.

Nugent, dropped for the two previous games, replaced Kanu against Leeds as the Nigerian was rested ahead of Sunday’s tough trip to Arsenal.

But before his goal, six minutes from time against a League One team, he looked out of touch and missed two other chances.

Redknapp had only set him a target of 10 goals this season but now insists he needs “someone capable of getting us 15 to 20 goals”.

It looks like Defoe is that man for Redknapp – a long-term target whom Redknapp had as a youngster at West Ham and whose career at White Hart Lane is in danger of stagnating.

Spurs boss Martin Jol remains keen on Pompey midfielder Matt Taylor and he could be used in an exchange deal, even though Redknapp has previously said he would never offer the player as a makeweight in any deal.

Now, though, Redknapp admits: “You are always looking to improve the team and if someone comes up who is a fantastic option it’s a case of who can I sell to get him?

“If, for instance Cristiano Ronaldo came up and I had a good wide player I would still sell him if it meant getting Ronaldo.

“If I have to raise some money for a top player it’s down to who I get an offer for. Sometimes you have to sell a player you are not so keen to sell. I’d like another striker if I can get a top one.

“They are like gold dust. There are only a certain amount of them and I have someone in mind. If that person becomes available, I will do some business.

“I may have to sacrifice one or two players who people think are good to get the players I feel can improve the team.”

Former captain Dejan Stefanovic could leave the club with Rangers and Fulham reportedly interested in the 33-year-old Serbian defender.

“I love Dejan. He has done a great job here but if it suits him to go I would not stand in his way,” said Redknapp.