Niko stays/Aubey and Baros not returning/Shorey

The News says that Niko Kranjcar has ruled out a Pompey exit by saying: 'I haven't had any direct contact with any clubs.

'For me, it is not the right moment to talk about a transfer.'

These quotes formed another interview that Kranjcar gave during the week, which together did not exactly rule out a move, it merely said that he was happy where he was and discussing such things was not his priority during the Euros.

To be honest, although I do still believe he will stay with us for next season, I do not quite see this as the 'Niko rules out a Pompey exit' as has been billed by The News...

Harry Redknapp and Peter Storrie have said over and over that he - and others - will not be leaving, with Redknapp now quoted as saying: 'we don't have to sell - unless we get a ridiculous offer' - which basically should be the case really anyway!

On the topic of Kranjcar he is in confident mood about Croatia's chances of making the semi finals ahead of their meeting with Turkey tonight: 'this team has proved its worth many times and we are ready to do it again.

'Winning our group has given us a lot of confidence that we can advance into the semi-finals.

'We have plenty of individual quality and a great chance of going through if we are on top of our game.

'We have to string together as many passes as we can, keep possession and take control in midfield to overcome the Turks.'

Croatia are the team that I am backing, but even if they can beat Turkey tonight will they be able to again overcome Germany in the semi final? They have beaten them once, but if they make it through can they do it again?

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This will probably not come as any surprise to anyone, but Peter Storrie has confirmed that Lucien Aubey and Milan Baros will almost certainly not be returning to Pompey next season: 'I wouldn't think we would be looking to take on Milan Baros or Lucien Aubey at the moment.'

Aubey was not really given much of a chance, but when he did he looked decent enough, but I am not surprised at all that he will not be signed following his loan. In terms of his European experience he would have been worth keeping, but I am sure we will cover this with someone else.

As for Baros, as I have said time and time again he worked tirelessly - something that maybe is not always associated with him - and he did have qualities that we could have used but his lack of goals and the possibility of them ever coming always looked like main thing stopping a permanent deal. But again I am sure we will be compensated with someone else arriving in his place, someone that will offer this threat and more...

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And finally, not for the first time Nicky Shorey is being 'linked' with a move to Pompey - could he be that 'someone else' I spoke about relating to one of the above...

Today it is The Independent saying that we will be making a move for the left back, offering Reading £3.5m for the England man.

I do like the fella as he has qualities about him that makes me think he would fit in well here. Perhaps he is still 'a little raw' but as we have shown with Glen Johnson this rawness can be moulded into something much more. Another young player, and better still English, so if we can do a deal I would welcome him.

Thoughts on this and the rest please guys...

PLAY UP POMPEY!

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