Pompey have broken their record transfer fee today by signing Ghanian midfielder Sulley Muntari. The 22-year-old signs for the club on a five year deal, keeping him at the club until 2012. Although the club have not disclosed the fee paid to Udinese, it's believed that the fee is around £7 million, eclipsing the £4.4 million paid for Benjani in January 2006.
I'm personally delighted with the signing having seen him a few times during and after the World Cup. Muntari is a left-footed all action midfielder who prefers to play in the centre and can either play a defensive or attacking role, making him the perfect utility player. The Ghanian also has energy in abundance and claims to have been a Pompey fan ever since Harry Redknapp expressed an interest in his services last year.
The only slight worries about this transfer are:
a) He was sent off 3 times last season, although Muntari didn't have the best relationship with the club anyway and cards are dished out in Serie A like it's Christmas every week. He may be able to get away with more in the Premiership.
b) He will be missing in January due to the African Nations Cup (Ghana qualify as hosts), so if we get crippled by injuries like we usually do then, his absence will not help us.
c) Does this transfer mark the end of our spending already? Even worse, will we have to sell to make up for the fee we paid for him? I guess these questions will be answered during the summer...
That's not to put a dampener on things at all, I'm delighted that we've got what looks to be a very good, young player who will only get better in time. His playing style should suit the English game very well and he could become a cult hero at Fratton Park.
Who would have thought it four years ago that we could fork out 7 million quid on one player. It's just another way of looking how far we have come in a short space of time.
And.... things could get even better yet! Welcome to the club Sulley, make yourself a hero!