Blackburn join race for Muntari

Udinese midfielder Sulley Muntari has Portsmouth, Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers all chasing his signature.

Pompey boss Harry Redknapp has admitted he could be priced out of the running to capture Muntari but will meet with chairman Milan Mandaric to discuss a possible financial deal to entice the Ghana World Cup star to Fratton Park.

However, Redknapp has denied making a ?4.2million bid to Udinese already and insists it will take a bigger offer to prise him away from the Italian club.

He told the Daily Express: "The player impressed me when I saw him but we have not yet made a firm offer. There have been suggestions we put in a ?4.2m bid but it would take a lot more than that to get him because he had a good World Cup."

Mandaric added: "We have already had a conversation about certain players and there has been a lot of speculation.

"Hopefully, things will start moving early next week."

Blackburn meanwhile have funds available to sign the Black Stars ace having sold Craig Bellamy to Liverpool for ?6million although they spent half of that on Wednesday when Jason Roberts joined from Wigan.

Even so, Mark Hughes is preparing for a UEFA Cup campaign and is still eager to bolster his squad to challenge on two fronts this season.