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Pompey hopeful over Pennant

Image: Pennant: Pompey target

Portsmouth are still hopeful of signing Jermaine Pennant, despite his desire to stay at Liverpool.

Storrie hopeful of Pennant progress

Portsmouth are still hopeful of signing Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant - despite the player's desire to stay at the Reds. The two clubs agreed a fee for the out of favour player, who has since re-iterated his preference of wanting to stay with the league leaders and fight for his place. But Reds boss Rafa Benitez believes the player will move, while Pompey executive chairman Peter Storrie is hopeful that the South Coast side could progress with the transfer this weekend.

Move forward

He said on Friday night: "We spoke at length with his agent (on Thursday) and hopefully some time over the weekend we can move things forward." Pompey have earned around £35million from selling Lassana Diarra to Real Madrid and Jermain Defoe to Tottenham, although the finances at Fratton Park mean boss Tony Adams cannot fully reinvest on signings. He has identified four players he would like to strengthen with, but Pompey have failed in their efforts to sign Edu from Valencia and bring Gary O'Neil back from Middlesbrough. However, they could have more luck with Real Madrid striker Javier Saviola.
Frustrating
Storrie said: "We're trying to bring four players in but the window is what it is and can be frustrating at times. "We were hoping to bring Gary O'Neil back to club but Middlesbrough have put a full stop on that one. "We were very hopeful of bringing Edu in from Valencia - but they decided not to sell at this stage. "I have had quite a lot of discussions with Real (about Saviola). I'm sure there's a deal to be done but it will be down to Tony to decide if he wants to take that forward."

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