Kanu Signs On At Pompey

Nwankwo Kanu, Portsmouth’s Nigerian international striker will stay at Fratton Park next season after signing a new one year deal with the club.

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The striker, 32, joined Portsmouth from West Bromwich Albion in 2006 and has enjoyed a successful spell on the south coast, culminating in his winning goal in this year’s FA Cup final.

Despite this, there had been speculation the Nigerian would leave the club this summer as he was out of contract. However, Kanu has now revealed he has signed a new deal with the club and is happy to stay. Speaking to the press about his new contract, he said: “I love it here and I want to be part of the team so I'm happy to have signed my new contract.”

Kanu made only 13 league starts for Portsmouth last season, scoring 4 times, and with the arrival of Peter Crouch and Jermaine Defoe at the club he may find his chances in the first team limited next season.

However, the former Arsenal man is clearly not worried by this and declared that manager Harry Redknapp was a prime reason for him staying at the club. Kanu admitted: “Harry is the main man. Everyone wants to play for him. We want to achieve great things. I've said from day one that I love the club and want to do more for the club.”

The striker also took time out to pay tribute to the fans and also revealed he has a firm grasp of English footballing cliches. Kanu said: “I want to do well for the fans - they're the best supporters in the Premier League - like the 12th man.”

Kanu and Portsmouth face a tough opening to their season. They warm up against Manchester United in the Charity Shield on Sunday before heading to Stamford Bridge and Chelsea for their first game of the new Premier League season.

ETO'O FUTURE STILL UNCLEAR

Barcelona sporting director Txiki Begiristain insists Cameroon forward Samuel Eto'o may still be sold in the next week despite impressing in pre-season.

He also revealed the club have made no approach for Valencia forward David Silva.

Eto'o was one of three high-profile players - Deco and Ronaldinho being the other two - seemingly on their way out of the Nou Camp when new coach Pep Guardiola outlined his intention to revamp the squad for the new season.

Deco and Ronaldinho have since left the club for Chelsea and AC Milan respectively but Eto'o remains on the Barca payroll.

The Cameroon international has put in some fine displays in his side's recent friendlies, coming off the bench to score twice in a 5-2 defeat of Mexican side Chivas at the weekend and taking his pre-season tally to three goals.

However, Begiristain told the club website on Tuesday, www.fcbarcelona.cat, that a definite decision on the player's future would be made before Barca's Champions League campaign starts next week.

"The days are going by and the market is closing," he said.

"If there is a decision, the best thing would be for it to be made before the Champions League qualifiers (August 12/13).

"We're in the process of looking at how everyone reacts, above all how Pep is with the group and with the player."

Reports in the Spanish press suggest Tottenham forward Dimitar Berbatov and Valencia's Silva are two names being lined up as possible replacements.

While Begiristain offered no comment on Berbatov, he hailed Silva as an "interesting" player.

"He (Silva) is an interesting, good player, not only for us but also for teams in other countries too," he said.

He added, however: "No process has been started (to sign him)."

Amidst all the rumoured comings and goings, one player Barca have been extremely keen to keep hold of is Argentina forward Lionel Messi.

The Catalan club have been forced to release the 21-year-old to join up with his national squad at the Olympics, after a FIFA ruling decided all players under 23 must be allowed to participate in the Beijing Games.

Barca have now taken an appeal against FIFA's decision to the Court of Arbitration in Sport - a move Begiristain insists the club have taken in order to protect their interests.

"If CAS rule in our favour we want, for our fans, the player to be with his club," he said.

"We respected the decision of FIFA, but if CAS say the opposite to them the club will make sure he (Messi) is with us.

"We respect the rules and the laws and we want to be shown the same understanding."