Pompey close on Belhadj deal

Algerian full-back keen on Fratton Park stay

Last updated: 19th November 2008

Pompey close on Belhadj deal

Belhadj: Staying at Portsmouth

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Portsmouth are set to push through a deal for Nadir Belhadj in January, with both club and player keen to turn his loan spell into a permanent arrangement.

Belhadj arrived at Fratton Park on a season-long loan from Lens and has quickly established himself as a favourite on the South Coast.

Equally capable at full-back or wide midfield, the 26-year-old has impressed his new manager Tony Adams with a string of fine performances.

A transfer has already been agreed between Portsmouth and Lens, with Adams keen to get the deal done as quickly as possible.

"Nadir is a lad I want to keep at Portsmouth, he's done great for us," Adams told The News.

Storrie deal

"Hopefully in the New Year he can become part of the fixtures and fittings here. January would be a good time to buy him."

Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie has outlined how the deal would work: "It is a loan with an automatic option clause and only we can take that option.

"If we don't take that option then obviously it's a different matter but it's an exclusive option.

"The price is set, that's done and dusted. From the option of the price we are looking at, I think it's a hell of a deal to be honest."

The Algerian international has quickly adapted to the speed of the Premier League and is learning English to acclimatise himself off the field.

"It's going really well. Even the language problem is not too bad, as there are a number of French players in the squad, who are helping me understand what the coach is saying," he told Le Buteur.

English lessons

"I have been dealing with it (learning English) since the beginning of the season. I even have my own teacher, but believe me, it's not easy.

"My hope is that the directors of Lens and Portsmouth reach an agreement quickly, as I really want to stay in the English league."

While Belhadj's loan deal has proved a roaring success, Chelsea's Ben Sahar has failed to make any kind of impression since joining the club on a six-moth loan over the summer.

Sahar has not featured in a Portsmouth squad for the past 14 matches and it has been decided he will return to his parent club in January.

"Ben will go back in January," Storrie added. "It has been a mutual decision.

"He's not been involved and we feel sorry for the boy but the coaches feel he's not at that level, that he will be better in the Championship.