Saints close in on Quashie

The St Mary's boss wants to recruit his former Fratton Park captain to boost Saints' relegation fight and Quashie is apparently keen to follow Redknapp across the south-coast divide.

And, although Portsmouth do not want to sell the Scotland international, chairman Milan Mandaric has indicated that he is prepared to do business with Saints despite any ill-feeling over Redknapp's departure as manager last year.

Mandaric said: "There has been serious conversations over the deal.

"We are reluctant to sell Quashie but it appears he wants to go. If that's the case, we have to face reality and put on our business heads.

"There is nothing definite yet and we'd like to keep him but, if he leaves, we will review the situation and hopefully find a replacement."

Saints were yesterday understood to be planning a £1.5m bid for the 26-year-old, although Pompey value the player at £2m.

Quashie has been one of Pompey's best players this season and could instantly slot into the left or centre of midfield for Saints.

Redknapp's assistant Jim Smith has also admitted that Charlton's Jason Euell is just the sort of goalscoring midfielder needed at the club. However, he indicated that wages could be a stumbling block.

"We think Jason Euell would be ideal," said Smith.

"He is a creative midfielder who gets forward but he is on a lot of money a week and we have to go in a certain market place."

Another potential problem could be Charlton's £3m valuation of Euell, pictured right, as well as the fact that Norwich, Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough are also interested.

Smith, however, played down the possibility of bringing in Egyptian striker Mido.

"I doubt whether we will get him," he said.

"He is a striker with a super goal record and you can take a gamble on a striker more than the defensive players.

"Without having a real established European player, you wouldn't consider anyone else. It is too risky. We would have preferred if possible to have taken guys that are used to the Premiership."

Smith admitted it had been difficult to find suitable players at the right price but stressed that he and Redknapp respected the financial constraints.

"We're in a market place and we can't go out and spend £8m or £9m, but we knew that anyway," he said.

"Obviously that makes it harder. Every-body's going for the same players and you only have such a short space of time.

"The players are out there. Somebody mentioned a player and he was on about £50,000 a week, so you can forget that - we're in the market place shopping at Marks & Spencer instead of Harrod's. That is the market we've got to play in.

"We've not got an open chequebook and we never expected that, either.

"We have to work in sensible restraints and that's what we've got to do. This is a very sound club.

"You have got to gamble a little bit at times but safeguarding the club financially is paramount to me.

"We've seen teams chase dreams and get into serious trouble and we wouldn't want that to happen.

"You also have to be careful you don't jump in and make the wrong signings.

"Harry's finding it hard at the moment but I'm sure by the end of January we will have brought in two or three players who can improve us."

Tottenham full-back Noe Pamarot, meanwhile, claims he has turned down the chance of a move to Saints, who are also being linked with Charlton's Paul Konchesky.

Chairman Rupert Lowe added: "We are looking for players and hoping to strengthen again but we do not want to comment on specific targets."

l Saints midfielder Anders Svensson has been linked with a move to Primera Liga high-fliers Espanyol.

Espanyol, currently fourth in the Spanish top flight, are in need of a midfielder after an injury to Antonio Alvarez Perez.

And Swedish international Svensson, who has made 18 first team appearances for Saints this season, has been mentioned as a possible replacement.

"Clubs from Europe know Anders Svensson will leave Southampton when his contract runs out in the summer and, if he does not choose to move home to Elfsborg, Espanyol is an alternative," said Svensson's agent Kent Carlzon.

Svensson added: "If a big club in Europe wants me, I should love to stay for another period in Europe but, if not, I am ready for a move back home to Sweden."

Swedish side IFK Gothenburg are also reportedly ready to swoop for the 28-year-old when his contract expires at the end of the campaign.

Saints will play their mouth-watering FA Cup fourth-round tie with Portsmouth at 12.30pm on Saturday, January 29.

The BBC have chosen the game for live screening and the club, in conjunction with Hampshire Constabulary, have agreed to the morning kick-off.

It will be Harry Redknapp's first match against his old club and more than 4,000 Pompey fans are expected to make the short trip up the M27 to create a red-hot atmosphere. Ticket details are not yet known.