Storrie bemoans lack of leavers

Pompey chief disappointed by summer activity

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 14th August 2008

Peter Storrie FA Cup final

Storrie: Frustrated

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Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie is growing frustrated by the club's lack of departures.

Pompey are to keen to move on a number of out-of-favour players, but have so far failed in their attempts to trim their squad.

The Fratton Park club must sell before they can buy, yet despite making a host of fringe players available for transfer, none have departed.

Djimi Traore has rejected a move to Hull, while Sean Davis has turned down the opportunity to join Celtic.

David Nugent has attracted interest from Ipswich, without a formal approach being made, while Richard Duffy is another Harry Redknapp has deemed surplus to requirements.

Storrie admits the situation is causing irritation to all concerned, and has questioned the motives behind the decisions of those who have spurned moves elsewhere.

Enquiries

"We know we have to sell before we can buy but that just isn't happening at the moment," he told The News.

"The money from the sale of Sulley (Muntari to Inter Milan) has gone towards the players we have bought since the summer of 2007. His last club Udinese were also owed a percentage.

"Others need to go and while obviously one or two players are looking to move on so far no-one has.

"We have had one or two enquiries from other clubs and we gave our permission but the players didn't want to join the clubs involved. That is the frustrating thing. Big-name clubs like Celtic have been turned down by one of our players - what can you do?

"We need to move some fringe players on so we can reduce the wages. At that point we can then look to invest again.

"It's frustrating but there isn't a lot you can do if the player doesn't fancy the move."

Waiting game

Meanwhile, Storrie admitted that the deal to bring Younes Kaboul to Fratton Park from Tottenham was one of the most drawn-out of his career.

He added: "It was a very long, protracted agreement which took two to three weeks. Obviously the presence of Aston Villa and Sunderland wanting him as well made it very, very difficult and prolonged.

"The boy was very strong all the way through. We knew he wanted to join Portsmouth and once Spurs accepted the offer he didn't want to go anywhere else.

"To be honest, it's been one of the longest ones I have ever dealt with."