Novak top of Pompey shopping list but wage demand is sticking point

Barnsley vs Chesterfield - Lee Novak celebrates his goal - Pic By James Williamson

Reports from Hampshire suggest that Paul Cook has put Lee Novak at the top of his transfer shopping list.

Our sister title the Portsmouth News says the striker, who led the way in goalscoring for Chesterfield last season, is Pompey’s chief target.

But the wage demands, of a man recently released by Championship side Birmingham, are a sticking point.

Having hit the net 15 times for a struggling Spireites in League One last season, it’s no surprise Cook sees Novak as the kind of front man who could fire Pompey into promotion.

Chesterfield are keen to secure Novak on a permanent basis after enjoying his services on a season long loan from the Blues last term.

Other League One clubs are sure to be monitoring the situation.

The Portsmouth News understands that Novak’s wage demands could scupper a potential move to Fratton Park, although Cook is convinced he can get his man.

Chesterfield’s former boss has already attempted a raid on the Proact, putting in two bids for Jay O’Shea that the Spireites have rejected.