Jermain Defoe
A bid of £12,000,000 has been rejected by Spurs according to a story that was exclusively revealed by the local rag. It seems a huge fee for someone who seemed to be a bit part player at Tottenham last season but Martin Jol has apparently re-iterated his desire to keep hold of Defoe. Harry obviously rates him very highly having had him at West Ham as a youth player but a fee of 12 million quid seems a bit steep for a player who has plenty of quality, but the ability to produce it consistantly is questioned. Whatever happens about Defoe, this bid is surely a statement of Pompey's intent for next season.
Sol Campbell
According to the BBC, who are usually a pretty reliable source when it comes to football, Sol Campbell is reported to be on the list of Harry's transfer targets with a deal possibly being close to being done. I'm not sure what to make of this one, obviously I'd love to have someone of Campbell's experience and ability at Fratton Park despite poor form last season but we all know that form is temporary and class is permanent. But could you really see Arsene Wenger releasing an integral part of his defence? Watch this space...
Tony Adams
Staying on the subject of England and Arsenal defenders, Tony Adams is possibly coming to Fratton Park as a coach or assistant manager to Harry after son Jamie is seemingly keen to stay a pundit. A defensive coach would certainly be a welcome addition to the staff at Pompey because of our knack for conceding goals left, right and centre and someone of Adams' calibre would probably improve the defence, or at least I'd hope so anyway.
Alexei Smertin
Another player reported by the BBC to possibly be re-joining Harry and co. back at Fratton Park. Smertin was a class act during a loan spell back in our first season in the Premiership though he is ageing a bit now. He could still add a bit of bite and depth to the squad though, and nobody would frown upon that would they?
Nicholas Anelka
The moody Frenchman currently plays for Turkish side Fenerbahce who could well be playing in the Champions League next season so if we were to move for him no doubt it would involve huge amounts of money going in different directions. Anelka scores goals wherever he goes and if we were to sign him he would promise much but his attitude has always been a problem, which reminds me of Laurent Robert only minus the goals bit. How much will money talk? Stay tuned to find out...
Matthew Taylor & Lomana Lua Lua
BBC reports that two of Pompey's key players are wanted by Fulham and that they would fancy a move to London. This one baffles me a bit as I can't possibly understand why two players who want to extend their contracts with Pompey would want to leave a club now with a lot of ambition, especially to a club like Fulham who are hardly world beaters themselves are they? But these links to London clubs have arisen before, with Spurs as well as Fulham so we'll have to see what happens.
Harry Redknapp is supposedly doing business quickly, with a player rumoured to have been talked to today. Is it any of the players above or is it just a complete smokescreen and we'll unveil the double signing of Theirry Henry and Ronaldinho tommorow?
Watch this space...