Nigeria striker Utaka set to leave Portsmouth

Nigeria striker John Utaka is set to leave English Championship club Portsmouth, manager Steve Cotterill admitted on Monday.

Cotterill revealed Utaka is certain to go because the cash-strapped club need to slash their wage-bill following last season’s relegation from the Premier League.

Utaka could stay in England as he has been linked with a move to Sunderland, but teams in the Middle East and France are also reportedly keen on the star.

The 28-year-old endured a disappointing World Cup and failed to make a single appearance as Nigeria crashed out in the group stages.

But he can at least look forward to starting off the new season at a more stable club than Portsmouth, who ended last term in administration with debts of over 130 million pounds (195 million dollars).

“There’s a move on the cards for John. I think something could definitely happen there,” Cotterill told the Portsmouth News.

“We’ve got to get the numbers down for the Football League because of this (transfer) embargo.”

Utaka has been at Portsmouth for three years since signing from Rennes and played in the club’s FA Cup final win over Cardiff in 2008.