One in, one out for Pompey
Pompey have bolstered their strikeforce – but David Nugent is now set to depart.
Frederic Piquionne yesterday penned a one-year loan deal, as revealed in The News.
The 30-year-old, has been identified as the man to provide the goals following the Fratton Park exit of Peter Crouch.
In the meantime, Nugent has been put up for sale – and is already attracting interest.
Stoke are reportedly eyeing the 24-year-old, who turned down a loan move to the Britannia Stadium 18 months ago.
Yesterday another unnamed club also made an enquiry for the striker, who was sent home from Pompey's Portugal training camp earlier this week following a fight with Marc Wilson.
And Peter Storrie has hinted the club would welcome any move.
He added: 'We have identified players we want to sell – no-one has to
be a brain surgeon to work out who they are.
'There are players that if the right offers come in we will sell them.
'As for David, we had an enquiry about him yesterday morning.'
Piquionne is now set to make his Pompey debut against Rangers on Saturday.
It's a deal which includes first option to buy from club Lyon – and
Storrie is convinced he will be a hit.
He said: 'We have him on loan but you could easily pay 5-6m without hesitating.
'Harry (Redknapp) and I tried to get him before but couldn't get him out at the time. He was at St Etienne at the time and I sat in their club offices all day.
'We had agreed a deal to buy him but they couldn't find a replacement.
'They were all day on the phone on transfer deadline day and it collapsed.
'As a club, we've always tracked him and he's the type of player our fans will like.
'If you look at his career, he's always had a very good scoring record.
'He had some issues last season in terms of playing and got a bit frustrated being on the bench, but finished the campaign in the team.
'He's played in their four pre-season games and can go straight into the team against Rangers – subject to international clearance.'
Piquionne said: 'I'm quick, I'm strong, I'm aggressive and I'm good in the air.
'I've heard about the passionate fans and I'm looking forward to scoring many goals.'
Meanwhile, Storrie has lifted the lid on why Pompey failed to sign Nikola Kalinic.
Despite appearing in the box seat for the Croatian striker, he snubbed Fratton Park in favour of Blackburn.
But Storrie has explained it was entirely due to finance.
He said: 'The transfer fee was pretty well agreed, all we were arguing about was payment terms because we were not in a position to put any money down.
'What I was looking to do there is make the first transfer payment in October or January and then it goes on from there.
'We were getting there but the danger is if somebody else comes in and puts the money down – which Blackburn did.
'It was really outside our control. But I think there's an issue with his work permit because he's played two out of 15 internationals.
'It will be interesting to see if they get it.'
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Weather for Portsmouth
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 15 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
