Loading ...Jul 24 2008
Inter Close in on Portsmouth’s Sulley Muntari
Jose Mourinho’s recent concessions in the Frank Lampard chase might have been genuine judging by Inter Milan’s interest in Portsmouth’s Sulley Muntari. The Ghana international can play almost anywhere in the midfield but would likely slot into the middle for Inter - where Lampard would play and Mourinho currently has a void. The 23-year-old is set to cost Inter 14 million euros and will sign a five year contract upon his arrival at the San Siro.
The benefits for Inter are clear. Mourinho could not put his system in place without strengthening the middle of the field. He did not have a box-to-box option with which he was truly comfortable. Muntari is nowhere near Lampard’s league, but he is young, highly talented, and exactly the type of player Mourinho can take to another level. Muntari’s game should adapt nicely to the Serie A. Inter is paying a decent price for him, but Portsmouth was unlikely to move him for less. Ultimately, Mourinho was willing to do what it took to get his second choice, having temporarily lost out on his first. Muntari now gets the opportunity to be molded into Mourinho’s next Michael Essien.
For Portsmouth, they can get by in the middle without Muntari, who played his last pre-season friendly on the left for Harry Redknapp. Pompey will likely go with Lassana Diarra and Papa Bouba Diop in the middle, and Niko Kranjcar will be the choice on the left. With the money he will receive for Muntari, Redknapp can get Shawn Wright-Phillips for Chelsea, slot him in on the right, and complete his starting XI. Losing the depth Muntari and his versatility would have provided will hurt during the peak of the UEFA Cup, but it was necessary to raise the needed funds.
Both managers now have lineups in place which they can live with, though both are likely to keep shopping. Mourinho needs Ricardo Quaresma on the right wing if AS Roma get Adrian Mutu. Portsmouth needs more depth if they are not to be beaten down by European football and the Premiership.
Links
Inter snap up Muntari
Muntari may be Inter bound
Inter launch Muntari bid
Inter close to signing Portsmouth’s Muntari
Muntari move is lights out for Lamps
Muntari set for Inter switch
Muntari set for £12.7m Inter move
Muntari ‘to sign for Inter’ on Thursday
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