OHara tops Portsmouth targets
27 Jan 2010 - 08:18:05
Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara tops Portsmouth's list of targets after the Premier League on Tuesday removed a transfer embargo on the south coast club.
Pompey have been unable to register new players since October after concerns over unpaid football debts - most notably concerning fees owed to Udinese for the departed Sulley Muntari - but now have just under a week before the January window shuts to bolster their relegation-threatened squad.
"(The announcement) is major news, it means we can can do something between now and the end of the window," now chief executive Peter Storrie told BBC Radio Five Live.
Former Chelsea boss Avram Grant, who took the top job following Paul Hart's sacking two months ago, is sure to have his own targets but the first order of business is a new loan deal for O'Hara.
The 23-year-old spent the first half of the season at Fratton Park but despite an agreement being in place between Spurs and Portsmouth to extend the deal until the end of the campaign, he was forced to return to London due to the embargo.
Storrie has revealed the club are hoping to get O'Hara back as soon as possible, as well as up to three more new faces.
Recruitment is unlikely to be straightforward, with the club's financial struggles meaning they are restricted to short-term deals and free transfers, but additions are almost certain.
"It's a boost for Avram, a boost for the team and the supporters," he added. "We're looking to bring in two or three players, ideally four if we can and that would include bringing Jamie O'Hara back, which is our first priority now. If we can bring in three or four we believe we have a chance of staying up."
The Premier League's official statement in lifting the registration embargo read: "The board of the Premier League has today lifted the player registration embargo on Portsmouth Football Club under the conditions that they are limited to signing players on loan or who are available on a free transfer.
"The board has taken this action as Portsmouth FC has no outstanding debts to football clubs as of this date."