Harry slams Muntari exit talk

Pompey boss dismisses Liverpool link

By Rob Parrish   Last updated: 17th December 2007

Portsmouth Sulley Muntari

Muntari: Exit talk quashed

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Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has dismissed reports linking midfielder Sulley Muntari with a shock move to Liverpool.

Reports in the national press suggested that the Ghana midfielder, signed for £7million from Udinese this summer, was being monitored by Reds boss Rafa Benitez.

But Redknapp insists the speculation is completely without foundation and has slammed the articles as "absolute rubbish", according to the Portsmouth News.

Benitez was believed to be considering a move for Muntari if he was unable to strike a long-term deal for Argentina international Javier Mascherano.

Fratton Park boss Redknapp already believes his squad will be down to the bare bones during January, but does not expect to be spending big in the transfer market.

Early in the New Year, Pompey will lose Muntari, Kanu, John Utaka and Papa Bouba Diop to the African Cup of Nations for up to six matches.

Money

Redknapp admitted: "I don't expect to have money to spend in the January transfer window.

"I'm going to have to depend on loan signings but at this time of the season who is prepared to loan you good players?

"We've got just two kids out on loan ourselves at the moment - Franck Songo'o, who can't get in Crystal Palace's team, and Marc Wilson at Luton. We might be down to 13 when the African boys go away. There's nobody else."

Pompey's squad was further hit by a hamstring injury to defender Noe Pamarot in the weekend's defeat to Spurs which could keep him on the sidelines for several weeks.

Redknapp added: "It doesn't look good. We'll need all we can get next month. It is going to be very tough."