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Lauren ends Pompey transfer spree |
1/23/2007 |
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Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp says his January transfer window activity ended with last week''''s £500,000 bargain signing of Arsenal defender Lauren. Redknapp has also signed Djimi Traore for £1m from Charlton and taken Rennes midfielder Arnold Mvuemba on loan.
The Pompey boss said: "People are saying we paid £1.5m for Lauren, in fact it was only £500,000.
"Clubs including West Ham wanted him and he would have been better off there money-wise but chose to come to us."
Lauren made his Pompey debut in midfield in the shock defeat by Charlton at Fratton Park on Saturday.
Redknapp said: "I was pleased with him on his debut, it was a heavy, muddy pitch and he hasn''''t played for a while.
"But he had a decent game, especially considering he had to switch from wide to centre during the match."
I don''''t really see us doing anything more in the transfer market now
Pompey boss Harry Redknapp
With players close to returning from injury, Redknapp is confident he has a big enough squad to make a push for European football.
He said: "I don''''t really see us doing anything more in the transfer market now.
"We are well catered for, we have enough players and if I can get Dejan Stefanovic and Noe Pamarot fit again soon, I have a bit of cover at the back.
"We have let Andy Griffin go to Stoke and with Gary O''''Neil back from suspension next week we have quite a few options."
Redknapp has also guaranteed on-loan right-back Glen Johnson will play every game for which he is available before returning to Chelsea.
The Pompey boss added: " Glen has done a great job but he is only here on loan and I imagine he will go back to Chelsea at the end of the season."
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