Pompey cool on Rava

Ravanelli
By Paul Holmes
September 24 2002

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has denied reports that he is close to signing Derby striker Fabrizio Ravanelli.

Redknapp has been linked with the 'White Feather' ever since he took charge of Portsmouth and at one point admitted his interest in the Italian.

Over the last few weeks reports have been rife that Ravanelli would join the south coast club but Redknapp denied the club was close to a deal, insisting that Tim Sherwood was his No 1 target. "I've made enquiries about Ashley Ward, and I know that Jim spoke to Derby yesterday afternoon about Ravanelli.

"But that's as far as it's gone, we're nowhere near doing a deal with anybody at the moment, we're just looking for another striker.

"I've said all along, Tim Sherwood is my main target, he's the one I really want to bring in if possible.