Pompey keen to make Motta signing

Portsmouth are hoping to sign Brazilian Thiago Motta from Atletico Madrid - but manager Harry Redknapp is not optimistic the deal will go through.

The 26-year-old midfielder has been training with Pompey and it is understand that his Spanish club would be willing to release him.

"I liked him," said Redknapp. "I think chief executive Peter Storrie has made him a short-term contract offer.

"If you ask me, though, I do get the feeling it is not going to happen."

Motta, who left Barcelona for Atletico last summer, has suffered from a succession of knee injuries and had surgery in February.

He played in a behind-closed-doors friendly for Pompey against Sunderland earlier this week.

And Redknapp added: "He has had a bad knee but if that's all right he's a good player.

"I saw him play against Chelsea two or three years ago for Barcelona and he was fantastic that night in the middle of the park."

Redknapp is keen to boost his squad before the transfer window closes on 1 September.

Pedro Mendes and Sulley Muntari have left the club while Niko Kranjcar is sidelined following an ankle injury - leaving Redknapp without three of his FA Cup Final midfielders.

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But the only loan options available to Redknapp are players from outside the Premier League as the Pompey boss has already brought in Chelsea's Ben Sahar and Arsenal's Armand Traore, filling his allocation of two players from within England.

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