Kranjcar off next summer

Niko Kranjcar has no intention of signing a new contract at Portsmouth and will leave the club next summer. The Croatia international joined Pompey from Hajduk Split in 2006 and has become a firm fans' favourite at Fratton Park.Blessed with outstanding natural ability, the 24-year-old has quickly become one of the Premier League's top talents.The speed in which has was initially able to adapt to the English game has made him a target for some of Europe's top clubs in the past, with a big-money move often touted.He has remained loyal to Portsmouth throughout the speculation, but has now made it clear that his time on the South Coast is coming to a close.With financial troubles currently hindering Pompey's plans for the future, Kranjcar feels he needs to move on in order to fulfil his own lofty ambitions."For now I am staying, but we have not strengthened like I would have liked us to," he said."That's why I will not sign a new contract. It's one more season for me and then I'm off."RevelationThe news will come as a major blow to Portsmouth boss Paul Hart, as he has already been forced to part with a number of his top stars.The Fratton Park chief is, however, tipping summer signing Frederic Piquionne for big things, and the Frenchman could yet help to soften the blow of Kranjcar's inevitable departure."He's a good, honest lad who runs hard and heads it well," said Hart."He is going to be a problem for Premier League defenders. He's played up front on his own before so he's aware of what's needed and he caused Rangers problems (in a recent friendly)."The lad puts defenders under pressure, he has that movement down the channels and as a manager you want the ability to run in behind."His enthusiasm and willingness to run behind the defence has been a revelation for us."I'm sure he can adapt but you have got to be prepared and let him settle in and find his feet. I hope he will have an impact on the Premier League."That's what he wants and he's had a couple of quiet seasons, now he's trying to prove people wrong."

Portsmouth Look To Sign Genoa's Anthony Vanden Borre On Loan - Report

The 23-year-old could be plying his trade on England's south coast next season...
11 Aug 2009

Last week Anthony Vanden Borre had looked set to sign for Spanish outfit Real Zaragoza, but Portsmouth have now reportedly entered negotiations to sign the Genoa man on loan for next season.According to Tuttomercatoweb.com, cash-strapped Portsmouth are close to sealing a loan deal for the Belgian, an arrangement that would give Pompey an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season.With a busy summer of signings at the Marassi, it is likely that Vanden Borre will be on his way out of the club.Despite showing much promise at Anderlecht, Vanden Borre has failed to impose himself upon the tactical Italian league either at Fiorentina, where he spent a short spell in 2007, or at the Grifoni.A change of scenery would be a benefit to Vanden Borre's career, and with Portsmouth's wafer thin squad, the utility player would be assured of playing either in midfield or defence.

Mensah off to Pompey?

Ghanaian defender John Mensah could follow striker Frederic Piquionne away from Lyon to English side Portsmouth.Mensah, who has played primarily as a centre-back for Lyon but has also been used at right-back, only moved to the Stade Gerland one year ago, signing with from Stade Rennais. While considered a strong, powerful component of the Bretons’ back-four, his time with Lyon was dogged by injury problems as well as inconsistent form on the park. Lyon have already indicated that they are willing to allow the 26-year-old to find himself a new club, concerned that his growth as a player is being stunted sitting on their bench. In addition, Lyon probably feel that he is wasting valuable space on the wage bill, as Mathieu Bodmer has emerged as the club’s third-choice centre-back behind Cris and Jean-Alain Boumsong. Portsmouth are proposing a move for Mensah similar to the one that took Piquionne to Fratton Park. Ideally, the club would like to purchase the former Genoa defender on a loan basis to begin with, although it is also reported that an option to buy the player could be included in the deal. Having initially bought Mensah for €7-million, it is considered that this would be the buy-out fee. The Premier League club will have been pleased with the contribution of Piquionne to date. The former Monaco and Saint-Etienne striker scored twice as he helped Pompey to a 2-0 friendly win over Rangers, scoring once in each half.

Zenden confirms talks with Prem trio

Former Chelsea winger Bolo Zenden has confirmed he is talks with Hull, Blackburn and Portsmouth over a possible return to the Premier League.
Zenden, who also played for Liverpool and Middlesbrough, is hoping to win a move back to England after leaving Marseille earlier this summer.
The 32-year-old is available on a free transfer and the 32-year-old Zenden hopes to seal a switch before the start of the Premier League this weekend.
"It is true that I am talks with a few Premier League clubs and I hope to finalise a move before the 15th of August for the start of the Premier League," Zenden told Sky Sports' website.
"Hull, Blackburn and Portsmouth have expressed an interest and I am talks with those clubs, but I have not decided anything yet.
"I am free agent after I turned down the offer of a new two-year contract at Marseille.
"There are other teams interested in me, but my main perference is to move to England.
"I obviously had six years there and I feel I am suited to playing there and I have the experience of having played there before.
"The Premier League is the best around, with the best players and I really enjoy the atmospheres inside the stadiums.
"I am in Holland at the minute, but once a deal is agreed with a club I am ready to get on the first flight to England."

Storrie tells fans to keep up their belief in a rosy future for Pompey

Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie today again moved to reassure fans after reports of new problems that could scupper the takeover of the club.Mr Storrie dismissed reports that frustrated current owner Sacha Gaydamak had given prospective buyer Sulaiman Al Fahim a seven day deadline to complete the takeover.The reports also claimed that Al Fahim did not have the money to complete the deal.As the takeover drama moved into a crucial week, Mr Storrie said the reports, in a national newspaper over the weekend, were 'rubbish'.And he was bullish about the deal going ahead, telling supporters: 'Just wait and see.'Mr Storrie said: 'It's an absolute load of rubbish. Why do the national papers continue to go on about this?'I am sick and tired of their accusations having at go at the club all the time.'The national press has it in for Portsmouth Football Club.'It's like some sort of campaign against us, it's ridiculous.'They will not leave us alone and it's affecting things.'We are trying to sort things out and they keep coming up with this rubbish.'Why do these people keep having a go at us?'He then added: 'All I can say to supporters is just wait and see, just wait and see.' Mr Storrie's broadside came after the Sunday Mirror claimed a frustrated Alexandre Gaydamak - more commonly known as Sacha - had imposed the seven-day deadline after lots of delays.The paper reported a source close to the takeover saying: 'Alexandre has shown incredible incredible patience to see this through because there appears to be no alternative. But it has reached farcical proportions.'It seems Fahim does not have the money to close the deal and is seeking alternative ways to finance the buyout.' Dubai property tycoon Al Fahim has completed due diligence – the evaluation of the club – and has passed the Premier League's fit and proper person test.But more than two months since beginning the takeover process it is believed the deal has stalled while Gaydamak and Al Fahim thrash out negotiations about the club's £27m debts.Al Fahim's spokesman Ivo Ilic Gabara played down talks of any rift between the two men.In a statement yesterday he said: 'The transaction is now in its final stages and the final talks are proceeding on a cordial basis.'All parties involved are exercising every effort to complete the sale as soon as possible in the best interest of the club and its supporters who are showing an extraordinary level of loyalty to this great club.'

Pompey are in pole position to land West Brom midfielder Jonathan Greening.

As Reported yesterday Pompey are in pole position to land West Brom midfielder Jonathan Greening in a swap deal involving David Nugent.The 30-year-old former Manchester United and Middlesbrough man is looking to get back into the Premier League after the Baggies were relegated last season.Fulham are keen on signing him, but Nugent appears to be Pompey's trump card.Pompey are keen to offload Nugent after the latest in a series of unsavoury incidents involved ther former Preston striker. He was involved in a druken brawl with team-mate Marc Wilson last weekend in Portugal.Albion are keen to reinforce their attacking options as they seek to bounce back to the top flight at the first attempt and a swap deal is looking a solution which would suit all parties.Pompey are keen to add some guile and craft down the right hand side of their midfield and the cultured Greening fits the bill perfectly.He has made nearly 200 appearances for the Baggies and was in their side who played Pompey in the FA Cups emi final in April 2008.

Kranjcar off next summer

Niko Kranjcar has no intention of signing a new contract at Portsmouth and will leave the club next summer. The Croatia international joined Pompey from Hajduk Split in 2006 and has become a firm fans' favourite at Fratton Park.Blessed with outstanding natural ability, the 24-year-old has quickly become one of the Premier League's top talents.The speed in which has was initially able to adapt to the English game has made him a target for some of Europe's top clubs in the past, with a big-money move often touted.He has remained loyal to Portsmouth throughout the speculation, but has now made it clear that his time on the South Coast is coming to a close.With financial troubles currently hindering Pompey's plans for the future, Kranjcar feels he needs to move on in order to fulfil his own lofty ambitions."For now I am staying, but we have not strengthened like I would have liked us to," he said."That's why I will not sign a new contract. It's one more season for me and then I'm off."RevelationThe news will come as a major blow to Portsmouth boss Paul Hart, as he has already been forced to part with a number of his top stars.The Fratton Park chief is, however, tipping summer signing Frederic Piquionne for big things, and the Frenchman could yet help to soften the blow of Kranjcar's inevitable departure."He's a good, honest lad who runs hard and heads it well," said Hart."He is going to be a problem for Premier League defenders. He's played up front on his own before so he's aware of what's needed and he caused Rangers problems (in a recent friendly)."The lad puts defenders under pressure, he has that movement down the channels and as a manager you want the ability to run in behind."His enthusiasm and willingness to run behind the defence has been a revelation for us."I'm sure he can adapt but you have got to be prepared and let him settle in and find his feet. I hope he will have an impact on the Premier League."That's what he wants and he's had a couple of quiet seasons, now he's trying to prove people wrong."