Manuel Feels Pompey Can Make Europe

Manuel Fernandes' stay at Fratton may well have only been a short one (if indeed this is the end of it?) but he's seen enough to believe that European football next season if very much a possibility for Pompey next season.

Fernandes said.

"I think we're good enough to reach Europe - the club has been in the top six for the entire first half of the season."

"There's no reason why we can't keep that up and finish in a European place."

As the controversy surrounding the whole deal continues Benfica are threatening to take the matter to FIFA after we repeatedly dropped Fernandes for what would have been a third match running that would have triggered a £12 million deal came around, however the Portuguese club who feel once fitness was proved a deal should have been done are said to be willing to now accept £6 million with Harry Redknapp still keen to sign him.

"I don't know what the deal was for Fernandes, but I like him very much."

"I was asked if he was worth £12m and I thought the fee was too high. That's my opinion but if the fee was right I would say take him."

"If Benfica want to do a reasonable deal I would like to do something with him."

If we don't snap up Fernandes for the £6 million they will now accept another team will! He's saying all the right things and clearly enjoyed his time on the South Coast, if not he wouldn't be referring to us as "we" so isn`t it time Sacha Gaydamak to put his money where his mouth is and stump up the cash for the Portuguese International or would we be right to refuse paying even that?

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