Fuller next target for Saints
Ricardo Fuller could be the next Portsmouth player to join Harry Redknapp at Southampton.
Redknapp left Fratton Park in November and was appointed at St Mary’s two weeks later – and has already raided his former club for midfielder Nigel Quashie.
The Saints boss has asked his club’s bitter rivals about the availability of the Jamaica striker, whom he signed for Pompey from Preston for £300,000 (€432,300) earlier this season.
“Saints have made an enquiry and yes, they are interested in Ricardo,” Pompey chairman Milan Mandaric told the Portsmouth Evening News.
“But it wouldn’t be a loan deal, we wouldn’t consider that at all, especially to our friendly neighbours. But if the circumstances were right, I could see a sale being completed.”
Redknapp is struggling for strikers, with Kevin Phillips out injured and James Beattie sold to Everton, and signing a forward is his priority after signing Quashie and son Jamie for his midfield.
Another Pompey player set to leave Fratton Park is Senegal midfielder Amdy Faye, with Newcastle expected to complete the deal tomorrow.
Magpies striker Craig Bellamy could be leaving St James’ Park as Faye arrives, after the row over playing him out of position escalated today.
Bellamy said: “I know Graeme Souness is the manager and that he cannot go, so it’s possible they want to get rid of me and I’m on my way out.”
One player who does want to leave his club is Blackburn midfielder Barry Ferguson but the Scotland skipper must wait until Ewood Park chief executive John Williams has recovered from flu before discovering if his transfer request will be granted.
Wayne Routledge’s future at Crystal Palace remains uncertain after Eagles chairman Simon Jordan revealed he turned down another bid from Tottenham for the young winger.
“We have turned down an increased bid from Tottenham,” Jordan said. “Spurs approached me after the game (at the weekend, which Palace won 3-0) and we talked, but they have not offered us anywhere near enough money for a player we want to keep at the club.
“They need to come back with more. The offer made on Saturday is not acceptable and the ball is still in their court.”
Arsenal midfielder Edu admitted he is likely to leave the club during the this month, with a move to Spain tipped for the Brazil international.
“I just think I have better proposals from other clubs, so now I’m sure I want to leave,” Edu said.
The Gunners also announced that Jermaine Pennant would go on loan to Birmingham until the end of the season.
Ben Thatcher is set to sign for Fulham, with his unexpected departure from Eastlands providing Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan with some much-needed ammunition to enter the January sales.
The former England boss has targeted Juanfran from Besiktas or Atletico Madrid midfielder Kiki Musampa.
West Brom striker Rob Hulse rejected the chance to join Stoke City in a £1.2m (€1.7m) deal. The Baggies had agreed the fee with Stoke for Hulse before the weekend but the player has opted not to move to the Britannia Stadium after holding talks with the Coca-Cola Championship club.
