Pompey wait on takeover

Portsmouth continue to wait for Suliaman Al Fahim’s takeover to be formally completed before attacking the transfer market – but South Africa’s Kagisho Dikgacoi would appear not to be on their shopping list.

The club are hopeful the proposed £60m deal will be rubber stamped well ahead of the start of the new Barclays Premier League campaign in mid-August.

With a new permanent manager also not yet appointed, although Paul Hart, officially the club’s youth development chief, continues in his caretaker role, it is difficult for Pompey to formulate any plans.

However, once the new owners are in place, then the Fratton Park club are expected to move quickly, albeit for several squad players rather than too many big-name signings.

With Glen Johnson having been sold to Liverpool for £17.5m, a potential target is Tottenham’s unsettled full-back Pascal Chimbonda,

The future of out-of-contract skipper Sol Campbell also needs to be resolved, while Peter Crouch’s agent has said they would have to listen to any offers were Pompey ready to sell.

However, South Africa holding midfielder Dikgacoi appears to now be off Pompey’s radar, despite an impressive display at the recent Confederations Cup, with Fulham looking a more likely destination if the 24-year-old to heads to England.

“I have not heard anything from Portsmouth,” said Dikgacoi’s agent, Mike Makaab.

“Kagisho is a top player who has played a lot of international matches for South Africa, but there has been no contact from Portsmouth about him.

“I get on very well with Peter Storrie and I would have thought he would have rung me if they were interested.”

Makaab added in the Portsmouth News: “Fulham have been very interested, but have yet to take things to the next level.

“He is a permanent fixture in the national team and is now looking for the right move.

“I have yet to sit down with his club and discuss a fee, but I am sure it will be reasonable.

“He would be suited well to the Premier League.”

Pompey are, though, reported to be tracking South African Aaron Mokoena, as well as Cameroon international Modeste M’bami, Auxerre striker Kevin Lejeune and, closer to home, out-of-favour Tottenham frontman Darren Bent.

Italian Roberto Mancini is, meanwhile, favourite for the managerial vacancy, although there has now been suggestion Hart may well be given the job full time.

Al Fahim’s advisor, Ivo Ilic Gabara, maintains everything is moving ahead on the takeover process, if somewhat protracted.

“We have submitted information to the Premier League to begin the fit-and-proper test,” he said.

“It is rubbish to say there are problems with the takeover.

“Mr Al Fahim remains confident that it will be completed.”