Pompey close in on Huselkepp

Pompey are reported to be on the brink of signing Norway International striker Erik Huseklepp from Italian club Bari for a fee reported to be €1.7million (£1.5m).

Sky Sports have picked up an interview with Norwegian newspaper Bergens Tidende where Huseklepp said 'The club (Pompey) is in a rebuilding phase and that is something I want to be part of. In the long run the club wants to get back to the Premier League and that is of course exciting.

'It's a physical league but I've grown stronger with the years, stronger than people might think. I think it's going to be great. Regardless of that (the physical side) I have other qualities to compensate.'

'All is not yet set but the clubs have agreed (a transfer) and I will make it over to England for a medical test within a short while.'

I have heard the word on the streets telling me that CSI were not going to be beaten by rivals for the player who reportedly included Celtic and Southampton and are offering a three and a half year deal.

Huseklepp can play either as a striker or out wide and has scored six goals in his twenty one full internationals including the winner against Portugal in a European championship qualifier last September

Scout's report

Even more interesting is the following article that appeared on Vital Wigan two years ago when Erik was still in Norway playing for SK Brann - 'Vital Latics have commissioned a scout report on Wigan Athletic transfer target, SK Brann player Erik Huseklepp; the report is compiled by Norwegian commentator Kent Rabben who just happens to be a Latics and SK Brann supporter and Vital member, over to you Kent:

Huseklepp can play either as a striker or a winger and he has 11 goals and 11 assists in his last 25 games, he has also made 5 appearances for Norway only two of which were starts, he has scored one international goal, which was against Scotland and he`s made 2 assists.

He is a pacey player and very creative, he has lots of ability and can create openings for himself and others.

He is 25 years old and in the last year of his contract and says he won't sign again, SK Brann would sell him in January rather than let him go for free next summer, a host of top European clubs have been linked with him including Ajax, Chelsea and Liverpool, he would be available for around £2 million

In my opinion he would do very well in the English Premier League and would be a fantastic signing for Wigan.'

Another Vital Football exclusive.



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