Portsmouth back in market for Carrick

The Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric is hoping his club's move for Michael Carrick can be revived as the West Ham midfielder weighs up his future. Pompey had a £3.5m bid for the 23-year-old midfielder accepted by West Ham last week and he was due at Fratton Park for a medical last Friday.

The Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric is hoping his club's move for Michael Carrick can be revived as the West Ham midfielder weighs up his future. Pompey had a £3.5m bid for the 23-year-old midfielder accepted by West Ham last week and he was due at Fratton Park for a medical last Friday.

However, news broke of Arsenal's apparent interest in him last Thursday night, which was confirmed by Arsène Wenger the following day, and the deal was put on hold. The Gunners have nevertheless failed to translate that interest into a firm bid and Arsenal's interest in Carrick has now ended.

That would appear to leave Portsmouth in the frame along with Everton, Charlton, who signed Danny Murphy yesterday, and now West Brom.

Mandaric, who is hopeful Carrick can be reunited with his former West Ham boss Harry Redknapp, revealed: "Our offer is very much still with West Ham. The player was coming to us with everything agreed a few days ago but obviously this was put on hold. Now it would appear less certain that Arsenal are interested, so we hope we can pick up where we left off.

"Even though the season is nearly upon us we are going about our search in the right way. It is, of course, very frustrating but we are not talking about squad players. They are renowned ones who we want to make a big impact and who are highly-rated. so it is going to be hard work."

Carrick is in the final year of his contract at West Ham and, although the club would ideally like to keep him, he has indicated that he is not prepared to sign an extension.

The Hammers therefore cannot allow him to leave on a free transfer next summer and must find the right buyer before the end of the transfer window.

The West Brom manager Gary Megson had earlier confirmed that the Premiership newcomers had joined the queue of clubs interested in signing him. He said: "We have spent a bit of money and there's some finance available. We have been in for Michael Carrick and are still looking for players to make us stronger and better. We have got one or two irons in the fire."

Portsmouth, meanwhile, were also interested in Greek midfielder Angelos Basinas but have now been warned off by Panathinaikos president Argyris Mitsou following the weekend friendly between the two sides. Mandaric commented: "We have made our interest known a little too late second time around. Angelos showed what a good player he is at the weekend and I think he could have done a great job for us.

"But the Greek transfer window has closed and they can't sell without replacing players, and with a Champions' League campaign coming up they are unlikely to want him to leave."