BOLTON'S record signing Nicolas Anelka is at the centre of a tug-of-war for his goal scoring services.

Wanderers desperately want to hang on to their £8m record signing, who has scored three times in four Premier League outings this season.

But United and City are chasing the often-criticised Frenchman who has been a model professional in his 12 months at the Reebok.

Anelka is rated only 50-50 to still be a Bolton player after the transfer window closes.

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp still hasn't given up the chase for the former Liverpool, Arsenal and Real Madrid striker.

Bolton are thought to have offered last season's leading scorer a pay rise to keep him at the club.

However, they can't offer him Champions League football, which is the prime reason he has been tipped to leave Bolton. That also rules out City and Pompey, at least until next season at the earliest.

Spree

All three wouldn't have a problem meeting Bolton's £12m valuation, though Wanderers seemingly wouldn't be in the market for a loan deal to one of their rivals.

Despite their massive summer spending spree, United still need a proven goal scorer to support Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez.

The Reds won the treble in 1999 largely due to their four- pronged strike force of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Teddy Sheringham, Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke.

Sir Alex Ferguson recently sold Giuseppe Rossi to Villarreal, Alan Smith to Newcastle, has seen Solskjaer retire and Louis Saha struggle for fitness.

City's need for a new marksman has been brought about by injury to Bulgarian hit man Valeri Bojinov.

Portsmouth's chances of landing Anelka look slim. Indeed, Redknapp admits they would have to sell to land a major goal scorer.

Former Bury star David Nugent has already been touted as a possible target for Derby just a month after arriving at Fratton Park from Preston.

"Sometimes when you try to raise money you have to sell somebody you really don't want to sell," said Redknapp.

"It could be David, although it could be others. What we need is a striker who can give us 15 to 20 goals a season. And if we have to do some business which will improve the team we will do it." Tweet