Pompey fight early release of Nigerians

Pompey's current African Cup contingent [Nigeria's Kanu and John Utaka, Ghana's Sulley Muntari and Senegal's Papa Bouba Diop] are so far pencilled in to miss the Fratton Park clashes with Derby on January 19 and Chelsea on February 2.

They could also miss trips to Manchester United (January 30) and Bolton (February 9), as well as a potential FA Cup fourth-round tie on January 26.

But Benjani will be available after Zimbabwe failed to qualify for the finals.

Pompey finally get their man Muntari

Portsmouth have finally completed the signing of Udinese midfielder Sulley Muntari for an undisclosed club record fee believed to be around £7 million.

The Ghanaian international has long been a target of Pompey boss Harry Redknapp and has signed a five-year contract at Fratton Park.

So who is their starting midfield? Taylor, Muntari, Mendes, and O'Neill, with Krancjar and Davis off the bench? Is it my imagination, or is 'Arry putting together a decent side? Perhaps spending too much in the process, but I guess that is a cost of doing business with ill-gotten Russian gains, eh Jose?

And is it my imagination, or is there no way that this is a picture of a 23 year old?

Muntari Close To Pompey Deal

Harry Redknapp admits midfielder Sulley Muntari is very close to signing for Portsmouth.

The Ghana international will cost around £7m from Italian club Udinese and it's understood personal terms have already been agreed.

Redknapp said: "We are very close to getting him and I am keeping my fingers crossed.

"He is a fantastic midfielder, strong and quick and with an eye for goal and he is only 22."

Anyone else a little tired of the Muntari saga? Sign him, or don't sign him. But the daily "we're this close to signing him" is really starting to get on my nerves. Sure, he's a good player. But he's not even the first or second best midfielder on his national side. Certainly not worth all the hubbub.

This however, is just funny:

Charlton's Icelandic defender Hermann Hreidarsson and free agent Titus Bramble are also in Redknapp's sights.

'arry looking to add some relegation experience to his squad? Don't you normally wait until January when you're mere points above the drop zone to do that? And the idea of Bramble and Traore lining up in the same back line is just too beautiful for words.

UPDATE: Seems that Pompey have some follow-through and have signed Sylvain Distin. Perhaps now all the clubs Neal wrote about will be looking at the Hermannator and T*tf#ck Bramble instead. God help them all.