On this day: Achille Emana keen on Portsmouth move despite interest from Arsenal, Lyon and Everton

A pal of Benjani, the powerful defensive-minded player insisted talks were taking place ahead of a move to Fratton Park.

Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie refused to rule out a move for the African – but said no signings were imminent.

Emana was the man Harry Redknapp watched on a then recent trip to France, after he was recommended to him by French international Christian Karembeu.

At the time, the player was seen as one of the most exciting young prospects in Le Championnat, with the Cameroon international also attracting interest from Arsenal, Lyon and Everton.

The 23-year-old played 25 times for Toulouse that season, scoring two goals and earning widespread plaudits for his destructive performances.

Toulouse were demanding £4.75m for the player, who is good friends with record signing Benjani.

Emana told The News: ‘Yes, Toulouse and Portsmouth are negotiating.

‘I am very interested in moving to this team and I am quite optimistic.

‘I have been playing in France for six years now, and I would like to know something else.

‘The Premier League is a fantastic championship, it interests me a lot.

‘I would like to bring to Portsmouth everything I can.

‘I have a close friend who plays there, Benjani. I would be happy to play with him, and I would discover a new team, new team-mates, and new staff.

‘It is the beginning of a new era for me and I wish to blossom there.

‘A decision will be taken in a few weeks.’

At the time, Storrie revealed Pompey were looking for up to eight players in every area of the pitch.

He said they had sounded out clubs over the availability of a number of players. But the chief executive said Pompey had not made a concrete bid for Emana – or anyone else. Storrie said: ‘At the moment we are information gathering. He is probably one of the players we are gathering a report on.

‘We are trawling around and obviously making inquiries about people.

‘But we have still to decide which options are the right ones.

‘We are probably looking at eight options in every area, and that has to be whittled down.’

As you will now, Emana never joined up with Benjani at Pompey.

Work permits issues apparently prevented the midfielder from joining, with the Cameroon international signing a new deal at Toulouse before joining Real Betis for £5.5m in 2008.

Now aged 37, Emana currently plays for SS Reyes in the Segunda División B.