World NewsMuntari Close to Inter Deal |
SULLEY Muntari is close to joining Internazionale from Portsmouth, admitting the opportunity is too good to turn down.
Pompey boss Harry Redknapp has confirmed he will sell midfielder Muntari to Inter, now managed by Roberto Mancini, and therefore avoid having to make further sales.Portsmouth stand to make a significant profit on the Ghanaian midfielder, who joined from Udinese for £7million last summer and seems set to join the Serie A champions for £12.7million.
Muntari spoke of his admiration for Redknapp and admitted he leaves Fratton Park with a heavy heart.
"There are teams when they come to you, you need to listen to them," Muntari said.
"Harry has developed my game, he has been a father figure to me.
"I love him, and also the Portsmouth fans, but when Inter call you need to listen.
Muntari added on skysports.com: "I already missed a chance to play for a super team (Manchester United) this time I need to seize it."
It could enable Redknapp to raise a £10million offer to Chelsea for long-term target Shaun Wright-Phillips - knowing he has adequate cover for Muntari in midfield with Lassana Diarra, Pedro Mendes, Papa Bouba Diop and Sean Davis.
Redknapp's comments appear to kill off Rangers' chances of signing Mendes.
Rangers boss Walter Smith has enquired about Mendes, whose salary might have prohibited a move to the Ibrox club.
Redknapp told the Daily Record: "I did speak to Walter about a couple of players and he said he liked Mendes.
"I think his wages might have been an issue for Rangers but the biggest problem is that with Muntari going I will need Pedro in my team.
"Because of the Muntari deal I don't need to sell anyone else so it would take a big offer for me to consider letting Pedro go."
Last night's Champions League transfer deadline passed without Rangers adding a midfielder to their squad, meaning they will go into next week's second qualifying round first leg against Kaunas with their current squad.
They are still hopeful of signing Fulham midfielder Steven Davis, who was left behind as his club travelled on a pre-season tour of South Korea, but only if the Cottagers drop their £4million asking price.
Smith has also been linked with Sunderland midfielder Dickson Etuhu.
Copyright (c) 2008 Press Association
Have YOUR say - What do you think about "Muntari Close to Inter Deal"? Tell us NOW in the comment section below.
Have you got a scoop? Tell us about it and you could be the first to break the news on FourFourTwo.
