THE frustration of Harry Redknapp, the Portsmouth manager, at his failure to spend more than a fraction of his reported £30 million transfer budget could be nearing an end.
Although Kanu, the Nigeria and former Arsenal forward, has arrived on a free transfer from West Bromwich Albion, the club’s transfer record is set to be broken, with Manuel Fernandes, the midfield player, close to fitness and ready to conclude his move from Benfica.
A proposed deal for Fernandes, 20, foundered last month when he failed a medical with a groin injury. Fernandes, a player who was once compared to Claude Makelele by José Mourinho, the Chelsea manager, has been training and receiving treatment at the club for the past three weeks and is expected to sign on completion of a further medical, for about £8.5 million.
Kanu, 30, has signed a one-year contract with an option for a further year and will play against Blackburn Rovers in Saturday’s opening match of the season at Fratton Park. Redknapp has also made a bid for Sulley Muntari, the wide midfield player who is valued by Udinese at £7 million.
Redknapp had scouts watch Francesco Tavano, the Empoli striker, play against Parma in a friendly on Monday.
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Aliou Cissé, the former Portsmouth midfield player, has been offered a trial by Stoke City.
Stilian Petrov, the midfield player, should complete a move to Aston Villa from Celtic this week.
Mark Noble, the midfield player, has joined Ipswich Town, who have yet to win a point in the Coca-Cola Championship this season, on loan from West Ham United.
Gianluigi Buffon, the goalkeeper, has said that he will remain at Juventus, even though the club have been relegated to Serie B for their part in the Italian match-fixing scandal.
“I cannot hide that, after five years here, I was tempted by a new experience,” Buffon said. “It could be in AC Milan, Inter Milan or in Arsenal, but I would have tended towards AC.”
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Colchester United are interested in Chris Barker, the Cardiff City left back.