Portsmouth look to have won the race for Middlesbrough
striker Mark Viduka. The Australian is a free agent this summer and
was one of the most sought after players in the Premiership with
Everton, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Sunderland and Newcastle all
keen.
Middlesbrough were desperate for the 31-year-old to stay but he was
convinced by Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp that the club could
match his ambitions and his wages of around £60,000 a week.
David James, 37 in August, has signed a one-year extension to his
Portsmouth contract, keeping him at Fratton Park until the summer
of 2009.
Middlesbrough right back Stuart Parnaby, who has interested Everton
and Ipswich, has been told he will be allowed to leave at the end
of the season, taking the number of players manager Gareth
Southgate has culled in less than a year to 12.
