Pompey confident of Distin deal
Distin rejected a number of contract offers from City
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Monday, 21, May 2007 08:28
Portsmouth are hoping to complete the signing of Sylvain Distin on a free transfer by the end of the week.
The central defender is set to join Pompey on a bumper £40,000-a-week deal after rejecting Manchester City's contract offer last week.
Manager Harry Redknapp said the Frenchman was "possibly the best free signing of the summer for someone".
Redknapp added: "I like Distin. He is a big, strong player and will be a great free transfer.
"People like him can command good wages because there is no transfer fee."
Distin's arrival at Fratton Park could see veteran Sol Campbell leave the club after just one season.
Campbell, who was signed on a free transfer last summer, has been linked with a move to Sam Allardyce's Newcastle United.
Pompey have also been linked with Middlesbrough striker Mark Viduka, Tottenham's Jermain Defoe and Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg.
The south coast club narrowly missed out on a Uefa Cup place with Redknapp claiming he needs six new players.
But Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie warned Redknapp to look carefully at possible targets.
"Free transfers can be just as expensive as players for whom you have to pay transfer fees," Storrie said.
Meanwhile, Pompey have been told to pay £8 million if they want to sign Ghana midfielder Sulley Muntari from Udinese.