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Actively seeking reinforcement in the summer, the club from Lisbon rented the promising defender Manuel Fernandes for whom they should later pay 7 million pounds.
20-year-old M. Fernandes could become a record purchase for Portsmouth, but the club still has the option to reject buying the player if he fails to recover from injury.
In recent months, the footballer was closely monitored by the English club's medical staff, who were concerned that the Portuguese did not pass a couple of physical tests, but coach Harry Redknapp's desperate desire to strengthen the team led to the loan of the defender. This happened despite the fact that it may take a couple of months for M. Fernandes to regain his fitness.
Having debuted in the 2003-04 season for Benfica, M. Fernandes played 28 matches for the team and scored one goal. The defender made his debut for the Portuguese national team in summer 2005 in a match against Ireland.
Portsmouth's general director Peter Storrie also confirmed that the club is considering the possibility of bringing in veteran striker Andy Cole from Man City: "We are finalizing the deal for Manuel Fernandes and before the transfer window closes, we are looking at another two or three players. Andy is in the required physical shape and is one of the possibilities we are currently considering."
