Pompey in shock Berger bid

Redknapp eyes former ace

By Vasek Kadlec   Last updated: 21st January 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Pompey in shock Berger bid

Berger: In his Pompey days

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Portsmouth are trying to sign former midfielder Patrik Berger from Aston Villa.

The 34-year-old has endured an injury-ravaged season at Villa Park, which has limited him to just five substitute appearances - but Harry Redknapp is ready to gamble on the former Pompey ace.

Berger has been tipped to move back to his native Czech Republic, where has has not played since leaving for Borussia Dortmund in 1995.

He spent just one season in Germany before he was snapped up by Liverpool. He spent seven highly successful years at Anfield, then he moved onto Pompey, and after two seasons on the South Coast joined Villa.

His love affair with England looked set to come to an end and he was even linked with a move this month.

However, Portsmouth are now looking to sign him and are readying a one-and-half year deal for Berger.

No deal

But his agent Pavel Paska has revealed that Villa are unwilling to let Berger go.

"Aston Villa don't want to hear about releasing him at present," Pavel Paska told ISM Football.

The news of Villa's decision not to let Berger leave is not really a shock given Martin O'Neill small squad, but Pompey will be hoping they could set up a deal before the transfer window closes in ten days.

Should Berger manage to seal his move to Pompey - he could join a couple of his fellow countrymen on the South Coast.

Youngsters Adam Hlousek and Libok Kozak have both begun trials spells with the club.

19-year-old Hlousek is a striker currently with FK Jablonec, whilst Kozak, 18, comes in from Opava.

Paska, again the agent of both players, admitted that a permanent deal is on the cards for both.

"If they impress there, it is not ruled out that they could stay there for a longer time," Paska hinted.