Pennant opts for Portsmouth loan move

Jermaine Pennant has agreed to join Portsmouth on loan from Liverpool until the end of the season after turning down the chance to make a permanent move.

The two clubs had agreed a transfer fee for the winger, currently out of favour at Anfield, but the 26-year-old retains hope that he can rebuild his Liverpool career.

Pompey boss Tony Adams said he had admired Pennant – who saw a potential move to Spanish giants Real Madrid collapse after he asked for too much money – since he was coming through the ranks at Arsenal and believes he will provide plenty of ammunition for his leading forward Peter Crouch, another former Liverpool player.

“I saw him play with Peter Crouch for Liverpool at Fulham last year – and he was constantly getting past their left-back and getting crosses in for Crouchie,” Adams said. “That’s a good combination that I wanted to put back together.”

Portsmouth’s executive chairman Peter Storrie meanwhile revealed that a potential move for former Arsenal star Patrick Vieira has been scuppered by an injury to the Inter Milan midfielder.

Moves to sign Middlesbrough’s Gary O’Neil and Edu from Valencia have also been abandoned.

“Patrick is someone we would be very keen to bring here,” said Storrie.

“Obviously, he is very well known to Tony, but my understanding is that he’s got an injury and that won’t be possible in this window.

“With Gary O’Neil and Edu, the clubs changed their mind – there wasn’t much we could do about that. As far as I understand, both of those deals are now dead.”

Danish international Christian Poulsen could however be heading to Fratton Park on loan from Juventus until the end of the season.