Kranjcar plays down exit talk

Playmaker happy at Pompey

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 21st May 2008

niko kranjcar portsmouth

Kranjcar: Creating interest

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Niko Kranjcar insists that he is happy at Portsmouth and has no desire to secure a summer transfer.

The Croatian international is reportedly attracting interest from Arsenal, with the Gunners keen to find suitable replacements for the departed Mathieu Flamini and unsettled Alexander Hleb.

While Arsene Wenger appears to have turned his attention to Marseille's Samir Nasri, an impressive display during the upcoming European Championship could see Kranjcar top the shopping list of a number of top clubs.

For now though the playmaker is refusing to be drawn on the speculation regarding his future, and is adamant that he wants to stay with the 2008 FA Cup winners.

Progress

"Portsmouth is a great place to be at the moment. We have something major to look forward to next season (Uefa Cup)," he told The News.

"Everyone wants to play for the biggest teams in the world, but at the moment I'm very happy at Portsmouth and even more happy to play for the team that won the FA Cup.

"Playing football, you always try to achieve the best you can.

"When I came to Pompey, I didn't expect we would be challenging for the title, but you hope at the bottom of your heart that you can win the Carling Cup or the FA Cup - and now we have.

"Hopefully, this is the first of many trophies we can win.

"We have made great progress as a club and now we're ready for another experience when we play in Europe.

"The whole project takes another step forward now."

Beautiful

Kranjcar became the first Croatian to lift the famous trophy after Pompey's 1-0 victory over Cardiff last Saturday, and admits that the achievement means more to Harry Redknapp's men than it would have to done to a member of the 'big four'.

"It was beautiful, it couldn't be any better to win the FA Cup for a club like Portsmouth.

"It gives it more meaning to win something for Pompey than it would for a top-four club.

"Knowing the history of the FA Cup, it is a truly great feeling."

He added: "This has been the best year of my life.

"Winning the FA Cup proves we have a great squad, a great team and now we have our reward with going into Europe."