Arsenal drop out of chase for Carrick
Arsenal have dropped out of the running to sign Michael Carrick but five other clubs are still keen to sign him, according to West Ham manager Alan Pardew.
Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric has told his manager Harry Redknapp to pull out all the stops to sign the 23-year-old and may be ready to up the ante still further following a club record £3m (€4.48m) bid after Arsenal decided not to follow up manager Arsene Wenger’s admitted interest with a firm bid.
West Ham manager Pardew confirmed: “Arsenal came in but then dropped out again.
“We don’t want Michael to go anywhere and would love him to sign a new contract but I can’t see it happening. There are five clubs still interested in signing him.
“If he stays to the end of the season he could walk out then as a free agent and that could be a big problem financially for us. I look at what a key player Muzzy Izzet was for Leicester over the last few seasons and how he was able to leave them on a free at the end of his contract.
“We can’t afford to let that happen with Michael.”
Carrick is sure to be disappointed that Arsenal have not followed up their interest. Their entry into the race to sign him after Pompey believed they had virtually sealed a deal angered Mandaric, who said: “They have been arrogant.
“If you do not want a player you should not declare an interest.”
Now, though, Mandaric believes Redknapp’s persuasive powers will convince Carrick that “we are the right club for him”.
Newly-promoted Crystal Palace and West Brom have already made bids for Carrick while Everton are also reportedly interested.
And Portsmouth’s need is now urgent after a contingency plan to buy Greece’s Euro 2004 hero Angelis Basinas from Panathinaikos fell through.
Mandaric’s £2m (€2.9m) offer for the player, who missed a penalty in last Saturday’s goalless friendly between the two clubs at Fratton Park, has been summarily rejected and now the Greek League transfer deadline has been reached.
