Harry Redknapp today responded to reports that Newcastle are poised to make a formal approach to Portsmouth in a bid to make him their new manager.

Redknapp is thought to be the number one target for Newcastle owner Mike Ashley following the departure of Sam Allardyce.

But Redknapp, who signed an improved three-and-a-half-year deal with Portsmouth in October, stressed this morning that there had been no approach to Pompey from Newcastle and dismissed rumours of a secret deal between the clubs.

"To say a deal has already been done is absolute rubbish," he told a Portsmouth newspaper. "I couldn't say anything else because that's the situation.

"There has been no approach. All I'm doing is trying to get a couple of players in before the Sunderland game (Portsmouth visit the Stadium of Light on Sunday) but I haven't got anywhere with that.

"Nobody from Newcastle has contacted me and in any case, that wouldn't be allowed. Nobody has contacted Peter Storrie."

Redknapp also insisted that money would not be an over-riding factor in any decision over his future should Newcastle make an approach for his services.

"Money would not be an issue to me," he stressed. "I wouldn't go anywhere just for the money."

Redknapp emerged as one of the favourites within hours of Allardyce's departure on Wednesday evening as Alan Shearer receded in the betting following suggestions that the club was looking for an experienced manager.

A hint that the man at the top of the list was currently in work did little to quell the speculation, and Redknapp and Blackburn's Mark Hughes pulled clear at the head of the field.

Hughes distanced himself from the Newcastle job at Blackburn's press conference this morning looking ahead to their Sunday clash with Bolton and said he was not expecting an approach from Tyneside.  PA