25.02.10

Portsmouth defender Dusko Tosic is ready to leave the club now on a free transfer as a bizarre consequence of their financial plight.

The 25-year-old Serbia international signed outside the window as a free agent having cancelled his contract at Werder Bremen but, after Portsmouth were threatened with a winding up order, the Premier League withheld his registration - preventing him from playing in league games.

Brief stay: Tosic is set to depart Fratton Park

There was even some concern that his inclusion as a substitute in Portsmouth's FA Cup squad tie against Southampton would threaten their status in the cup as a consequence - but the FA confirmed yesterday that the club was safe as different regulations apply to their competition.

However, the transfer is still an embarrassment to Portsmouth. As he has not been registered, the £5m-rated left-back can still leave on a free. Valencia have already inquired but he would prefer to stay in the Premier League.

Portsmouth's last attempt to avoid administration has failed after the Premier League refused to advance any cash from television rights or parachute payments.

Owner Balram Chainrai was unable to convince Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore and general secretary Mike Foster to bail out Portsmouth at a meeting on Tuesday.

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed