Redknapp Admits Baros, Berger Interest

Redknapp is desperate to bolster his striking options and admits Baros, currently struggling to get first team football with Lyon, is a player he admires.

"Baros is a player I know. I like him and I would be interested. I think he's a good player," said the Pompey manager.

"He's played in the World Cup for the Czech Republic, who are a very good team, and been a Golden Boot winner in the European Championships. That's fantastic pedigree for any player."

His interest in Patrik Berger, however, is more of a surprise. The 34-year-old former Liverpool player has had an injury-ravaged season at Villa Park and has only managed five substitute appearances. And he is viewed by many as someone who's best days are behind him.

But according to Berger's agent, Pavel Paska, Redknapp is keen on bringing him to Fratton Park.

"Harry Redknapp was a fan of Patrik Berger in the past...he trusts Czech players," revealed Paska.

Perhaps even more surprisingly, the agent then added that Villa manager Martin O'Neill is unwilling to let Berger go.

"Aston Villa don't want to hear about releasing him at present," he told ISM Football.

Upon hearing this, Redknapp was more cautious about the idea of bringing Berger back to Portsmouth. "'I have not spoken to Patrik and I'm sure Martin O'Neill wouldn't want me talking about him," he admitted.

"If Martin wants to keep him, he keeps him. If he wants to let him go, it's different."

Diarra: I Will Play At Pompey

The France midfielder, who only joined Arsenal in the summer from Chelsea, is already heading out of the Emirates Stadium with a transfer to Portsmouth having been agreed.

Diarra has reportedly negotiated personal terms with Pompey and passed a medical, and is set to be unveiled as Harry Rednapp's latest signing later this week.

The 22-year-old was desperate to leave Arsenal during the current transfer window because he was getting only limited playing time in the successful Arsenal first team.

And he is confident he will be given regular first-team football under Portsmouth manager Redknapp.

"My choice will shock and surprise people. Portsmouth; it is not Arsenal and it is not Chelsea. I gave myself to the large clubs," he said.

"I know the trainer of Portsmouth and I know that he will play me."

Meanwhile, unsettled Lens defender Lucien Aubey could also be heading to Portsmouth - or possibly Birmingham City - according to reports in France.

But Djimi Traore could be heading out of Fratton Park this month, with rumours linking him to a loan move to Rennes.

Baffled Harry Heads For The Market

Redknapp watched on as Pompey, who have won nine of their last ten away matches, were second-best to eighteenth-placed Sunderland, Keiran Richardson scoring both goals for Roy Keane’s men as they secured all three points.

The 60-year old feels that the disappointing display was due to the weeks’ speculation, linking him to the managerial vacancy at Newcastle, and the loss of strikers John Utaka and Nkwankwo Kanu and midfielders Sulley Muntari and Papa Bouba Diop to international duty

“I don't know [what to put the defeat down to]. Nine out 10 [away games] we had won previous to today," he told Sky Sports.

"We started okay and Benjani [Mwaruwari] had a good chance to score. But once they scored we became ragged.

"It certainly wasn't one of our better performances. They [Sunderland] played well, they were dangerous. Full credit to them.

"We'll pick ourselves up again. It has been a draining week [for me]; we will recoup and pick the lads up for next week.”

Redknapp also feels that the club must invest in replacements for the players they have temporarily lost, at least for the short-term, to ensure their bid for European football isn’t derailed as it was during the last campaign.

"We need to strengthen a little bit. We are short; there is no doubt about that,” he added.

"We need to get one or two in this week to give us a little bit of strength and depth."

Mandaric: "Magic" Harry For Newcastle

Milan Mandaric worked with Harry Redknapp at Portsmouth during his time as chairman of The Blues.

The Serb is now Leicester chairman, but knows Pompey gaffer Redknapp well enough to think he's the right man for Newcastle.

"It would break my heart to see Portsmouth without Harry because he was made for Portsmouth," Mandaric told Sky Sports News.


"They have done a tremendous job there, but I understand Harry and that he thinks he has done what needs to be done there and it is time to move.


"I hope that is not the case. I don't want him to leave Portsmouth, but there is a certain indication that he will go to Newcastle.


"Maybe I am prejudice, but as far as I'm concerned he is a magic guy as far as how to select the players and how to get the best out of them.


"I don't think anyone is better than Harry and if he goes there. I think he will do a better job than a lot of people.


"No disrespect to previous managers, they are all good people, but Harry is magic as far as that goes."