With the rumour mill continually spinning and the transfer activity picking up pace, undoubtedly the rumours linking players to and from Pompey are also picking up pace. Here’s the latest from around the globe….
The Daily Mail – Crystal Palace could go for Tal Ben-Haim. Full Story
After our South-Coast rivals sealed the purchase of Nathaniel Clyne from Crystal Palace this morning, reports in the Daily Mail are claiming it could fund a move for Pompey defender Tal Ben-Haim. The Israeli defender is well-documented as Pompey’s highest earner, with administrator Trevor Birch (as well as the rest of the club) keen to get him off Pompey’s wage bill. There is no doubting Ben-Haim has quality but his lack of time for the fans, as well as the ridiculous wages he is being paid at Fratton Park, means Pompey will be keen to get rid of him sooner rather than later, but the Israeli international will need to take a big pay-cut if he is to complete a move. He would join former Pompey player Joel Ward at Selhurst Park. Fingers crossed!
Various Sources - Huseklepp eyes a move back to Norway.
Portsmouth attacker Erik Huseklepp is being chased by a number of Norwegian clubs as Pompey look to sell him on to again reduce the wage bill. Huseklepp spent a brief loan spell at Birmingham City last season, but after a change in management at the Midlands club, it doesn’t look like the Viking will be returning to St Andrew’s. Rosenborg, Brann Bergen and now Valerenga are all chasing the young Norwegian, with his former club Brann even appealing for sponsorship from fans to help them bring back the popular baby-faced assassin. We spoke to Erik’s agent Tore Pedersen this week who confirmed there were no updates in regards to a potential move…..let’s hope something picks up soon.
Huseklepp did really well during his season at Pompey, and he could be a massive player for Portsmouth in League One, but the bottom line is Pompey can’t afford him and unfortunately he is going to be another one than HAS to go.
Sky Sports - Pompey eye Royals keeper. Full Story
According to Sky Sports, Pompey are looking at Reading goalkeeper Mikkel Andersen as Pompey boss Michael Appleton looks to bolster the squad as the club remain without a goalkeeper. Reports claim that Pompey would look to take Andersen on loan for the season, and with vital Football League experience at the likes of Bristol Rovers, Brighton & Hove Albion and Torquay, Andersen could be a great acquisition.
Pompey do have the likes of Simon Eastwood and David Preece on trial out in the Spanish pre-season tour, but neither of the goalkeepers have much experience compared to that of Andersen. Andersen has found himself behind two other goalkeepers, Adam Federici and Alex McCarthy at Reading, and with the acquisition of Stuart Taylor likely for Reading, Andersen could find himself a better deal at Pompey.
Portsmouth News – Izale McLeod looks set to be the first signing. Full Story
In demand striker, Izale McLeod, who is currently attending Pompey’s pre-season tour of Spain/Gibraltar, looks set to be Pompey’s first signing once the club is given the green light by the Football League. McLeod, chased by the likes of Cheltenham Town, Crawley, Notts County and Rotherham, has sung Pompey’s praises and rumours claim he has even signed a pre-contract.
McLeod said to the Portsmouth News: “As soon as the embargo gets lifted I am good to go. At no time have I thought about going elsewhere. It’s a big club and as a player you want to play for a big club in front of really good fans.”
Various Sources - Luke Varney’s Leeds move is imminent.
Pompey’s winger/forward Luke Varney looks set to seal a move to Elland Road this week, with the former Blackpool and Derby man expected to join up with former Pompey team-mate Jason Pearce. Varney has expressed his interest and desire to join Leeds, and with Pompey desperate to get as many senior players off the wage bill as possible, hopefully a deal can be tied up by the end of the week. It is thought Leeds may even pay Derby for Varney’s services, as Pompey currently still owe the Rams £300,000 from Varney’s sale to Pompey last summer.
Official Portsmouth FC website - Futacs joins Leicester City. Full Story
Striker Marko Futacs has joined Championship side Leicester City on a free transfer after the Hungarian giant turned down a new deal on reduced terms at Fratton Park. Pompey will receive a nominal fee for Futacs’ services despite him being out of contract, as Pompey offered the striker a contract but turned it down and as he is under-24 this enables Pompey to receive a small fee. We wish Futacs all the best at Leicester, but it’s a big pity that we won’t be seeing him front Pompey’s strikeforce in League One next season!
Portsmouth attacker Erik Huseklepp is being chased by a number of Norwegian clubs as Pompey look to sell him on to again reduce the wage bill. Huseklepp spent a brief loan spell at Birmingham City last season, but after a change in management at the Midlands club, it doesn’t look like the Viking will be returning to St Andrew’s. Rosenborg, Brann Bergen and now Valerenga are all chasing the young Norwegian, with his former club Brann even appealing for sponsorship from fans to help them bring back the popular baby-faced assassin. We spoke to Erik’s agent Tore Pedersen this week who confirmed there were no updates in regards to a potential move…..let’s hope something picks up soon.
Posted by Panama | July 20, 2012, 05:50