Bradford City's bid to bring Sammy Igoe to Valley Parade is under threat after Portsmouth manager Alan Ball vowed the talented midfielder would not be leaving the south coast club for £500,000.

The cash-strapped Fratton Park side, who are losing £40,000 per week, put all their first team squad on the transfer list 11 days ago to try and ease the club's £5 million debt.

Pompey's then chairman Martin Gregory brought in an agent to sell the players with centre forward John Aloisi the first to leave Fratton Park when he joined Coventry City for a cut price £650,000.

City have been tracking Igoe and sources in Portsmouth claimed last week that a £500,000 fee had been agreed between the two clubs.

However new chairman Les Parris's first move since replacing Gregory has been to return all responsibility for transfers to manager Alan Ball.

And the former England international, who believes the talented midfielder is worth £1.5 million, said today: "I certainly won't be selling Sammy Igoe for £500,000.

"If I did sell him then I would want a proper price for him."

When told the news, City chairman Geoffrey Richmond said: "We are not aware of this development and as far as I am aware the transfer was on hold anyway. If what you say is true then that would eliminate our interest. But I stress we have heard nothing officially from Portsmouth."

Meanwhile, City boss Paul Jewell has rubbished speculation which had linked him with Crystal Palace's David Tuttle and Bury's Chris Lucketti over the weekend.

Sources in Bury claimed that City contacted the Shakers two weeks ago about a player who manager Neil Warnock rates in the £1 million price bracket.

However Jewell said: "I don't know where these have come from but there is nothing in them."

Tickets for the game at Stockport on Saturday, January 9 have gone on sale. Prices are the same for stand and terrace with adults paying £13, senior citizens £8 and juniors £6.

The ticket office has normal opening hours this week apart from Christmas Eve when it will be open between 9am and 2pm. The office will be closed on Christmas Day although it will be open between 9am and 10am on Saturday and 10am and 2pm on Sunday.

City travelled to Liverpool today to play a private practice match to test the fitness of England midfield player Steve McManaman.

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