Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp fears Aston Villa could beat him to the signing of Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul.

Kaboul looks set to leave Tottenham this summer after dropping down the pecking order since the arrival of Juande Ramos.

Redknapp has confirmed his interest in Kaboul with the Frenchman expressing a desire to move Portsmouth.

Sunderland joined the chase for Kaboul after having a bid for the player and White Hart team-mates Pascal Chimbonda, Steed Malbranque and Teemu Tainio accepted by Spurs.

Kaboul's agent initially played down the prospect of the central defender moving to the Stadium of Light, but now says the player was impressed by Roy Keane.

"Younes was very impressed with Roy Keane when he met him, especially

with his vision for Sunderland Football Club," said Raba.

"He was also very impressed with the city, stadium and facilities which, to be

fair, are second to none.

"Younes also appreciated the fact that Roy and Sunderland have given him a

couple of days to make a decision. I now expect him to make up his mind in the next 24 hours."

However, Villa are reported to have enterted the race for the former Auxerre youngster.

Redknapp claims Villa are leading the hunt for Kaboul and he is not optimistic over his chances of signing the France Under 21 international if Martin O'Neill's side are after him.

Offer

"Kaboul wants to come here but I heard he is going to Villa. I don't think there is anything he (chief executive Peter Storrie) can do about it," Redknapp told The News.

"If Villa are in for him he may have to go there.

"We made an offer with what we thought was a fair valuation."

Trialist

Meanwhile, Redknapp has confirmed he is interested in signing Gambia striker Omar OJ Krumah after he impressed on trial.

Krumah has featured in some of Pompey's pre-season friendlies and he has caught the eye of Redknapp, but the wily boss believes the youngster is one for the future.

"I like OJ. He could be one for the future. He isn't ready for the Premier League, though," added Redknapp.