Faye's Fulham move collapses

Portsmouth midfielder Amdy Faye looks set to stay at Fratton Park following the breakdown of his proposed £3m (€4.4m) move to Fulham.

The London club, who had offered to significantly increase the player’s current wages, say they have pulled out of the deal for “a number of reasons” following Faye’s medical examination earlier this week.

However, Pompey claim the 26-year-old Senegal international changed his mind about leaving after learning the south coast club are bidding to sign his Senegal team-mate Papa Diop from Lens.

Faye, who cost Portsmouth £1.5m (€2.2m) when signed by manager Harry Redknapp a year ago from Auxerre, missed nine Premiership matches last season with knee trouble and did not take part in the African Nations Cup.

But he eventually returned to action for Pompey without the need for surgery and was an ever-present in the side from the end of February until the last game of the season when he was rested because of a knee strain.

Ironically, Portsmouth themselves were forced to pull out of a planned new signing last weekend when Preston striker Ricardo Fuller’s £1.75m (€2.6m) deal was scuppered by medical reports on his right knee.

It looked a certainty, too, that Faye would join Fulham after his agent confirmed they had made a £3m (€4.4m) bid, although Cottagers manager Chris Coleman admitted there were a few snags to overcome.

Redknapp, however, said today: “Amdy’s staying and I’m delighted. He has gone away and thought about it but he wants to stay.

“We are not going to give him any more money to stay. He just realised how much he enjoyed it here last season.”

Faye could soon have compatriot Papa Diop as a midfield partner. It is believed that Portsmouth officials are due to meet French club Lens tomorrow in a bid to discuss a £1.75m (€2.6m) move for the 6ft 4in World Cup star.

Portsmouth have also been linked with Greece midfielder Angelos Basinas, who could face them in a pre-season friendly for his club Panathinaikos on August 7.

But a club spokesman said: “Things have gone a little quiet. There has been plenty of speculation about who we will sign but that is all it is so far - speculation.”