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Redknapp admits Portsmouth's interest in Dunne

31/05/2008

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has admitted the FA Cup winners are interested in signing Manchester City defender Richard Dunne.

Dunne's contract is due to expire at the end of next season and it is believed the Republic of Ireland international is keen to secure a move elsewhere.

Dunne captained City last season and gained praise for the way he marshalled a defence that conceded just 20 goals at home in the league.

Redknapp signed Sylvain Distin from City on a free transfer last year and a potential swoop for Dunne could see them pair up again in the centre of Pompey's defence.

"I like Dunne," Redknapp told BBC Radio Five. "He's a top player and I think there's a couple of clubs in for him at the moment but I think we've got as good a chance as anyone now."

Redknapp said that competing in European competition next season, thanks to their FA Cup win, would help them attract higher calibre players.

He explained: "We've got in the Uefa Cup for next year and we've got some good players so hopefully we can start to compete with the Tottenhams and the Villas and teams like that."

Reports suggest Dunne would be available for £5 million but the defender has not yet chosen where to play next season.

Redknapp also alluded to the possibility of signing Liverpool striker Peter Crouch, who played for Portsmouth before a move to Aston Villa.

The Pompey boss said that although he has not made a bid for Crouch if the reported transfer fee was to decrease then he would be more interested.