Portsmouth Football Club News

• Nickname:Pompey
• Founded:1898
• Manager:Michael Appleton

• Ground:Fratton Park
• Capacity:19,179

Adams to spend Diarra cash

18 Dec 2008 - 08:02:37

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Portsmouth manager Tony Adams is confident that he will be given all of the money raised from Lassana Diarra's sale to Real Madrid to spend in the New Year.

Adams is fully behind the decision to accept Real's bid for the France midfielder and is already looking around for suitable replacements.

He said after the 3-0 UEFA Cup win over Heerenveen: "The chairman said to me 'this is the offer that has come in and it is your decision'.

"I think it is a massive compliment to a club like Portsmouth that they have got a club like Real Madrid coming for their players.

"In an ideal world you keep all the Lassanas you have got and you buy Rio Ferdinand, but this is not Manchester United. This is a good club and we have done well for the last couple of years, but we have to be realistic.

"He is a super player and we are going to miss him, but if it is for that amount of money, I am not going to stand in the way.

"My job now is to get the recruitment right and add to the squad. We are going to have to find some other players and move on. The UEFA Cup has been very draining for us, we do need reinforcements.

"If people know you have got money they overcharge you. Maybe you have to use your head a little bit and get the right player at the right price.

"I have had players in mind since I have been in the job. You have to get it right. Harry was fantastic at it and hopefully I have learned a bit off the master.

"I will try to do some business but if it is not right, I won't do it."