Portsmouth target Liedson has admitted that Sporting Lisbon hold the key to where he will play his football next season.

 

Linked with a move to England, and reported to have attracted attention from Newcastle and Celtic, the 31-year old Brazilian is keen to stay with Sporting and wishes to obtain a Portuguese passport. However, he is flattered by the interest.  

"Really I have a Portuguese heart although I still do not have the document," he said, "My intention is to stay at Sporting but now this depends on the president.”

Meanwhile, the form of Niko Kranjcar has also attracted admirers and former Pompey player Alan McLoughlin reckons the club will struggle to retain him especially after Kranjcar himself indicated his intention to see out the 15 months of his contract without seeking a new one. The 24-year old has reportedly been tracked by Arsene Wenger.

McLoughlin said 'There are going to be a lot of clubs interested in Niko in the summer and it's only natural. I expect them to test the water with a few bids because here is a quality player who has ambitions and he's bound to attract some quality, quality clubs.”

Another player possibly leaving Fratton Park is John Utaka who is purportedly being lined up by French club Bordeaux in a £7M move.