Harry Redknapp compares Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze hijack to Portsmouth transfer that scolded him
Portsmouth, like a host of other clubs, have endured transfer hijackings over the years.
Harry Redknapp secured some eye-catching Pompey signings during his tenure, with Paul Merson firmly in that category.
Last summer, Portsmouth tried to land Abu Kamara, who eventually signed for Championship rivals Hull City instead.
Now, Redknapp has drawn comparisons to Eberechi Eze’s proposed move to Arsenal as he recalls a similar story on the South Coast.
Harry Redknapp recalls when Portsmouth tried to sign Michael Carrick
Middlesbrough sacked Carrick this summer, meaning he will not be visiting Fratton Park unless he lands a new job.
The former Man United man was some talent during his playing career and represented England on 34 occasions.
Although the former midfielder played for Tottenham, it turns out he could have worn the blue of Portsmouth instead.
While appearing on talkSPORT (22 August), Redknapp discussed Arsenal’s capture of Eze.
Indeed, he described how close the South Coast outfit came to landing Carrick during his time in charge at Fratton Park, only for Spurs to snatch him.
| Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| West Ham | 154 | 6 | 5 |
| Swindon Town | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Birmingham City | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tottenham | 75 | 2 | 11 |
| Man United | 464 | 24 | 35 |
“I remember going back to transfers, Tottenham, Michael Carrick on his way down to Portsmouth back in the day when I managed Portsmouth,” said Redknapp.
“Michael’s on the way up the motorway and suddenly Daniel Levy sees on the TV that he’s coming down for a medical to Portsmouth.
“He was at West Ham at that time, and Daniel thought well, Harry knows him, he managed him at West Ham. He’s surely not going to take him to Portsmouth… and the manager at Tottenham at the time, I think it was Santini, didn’t even know him.
“They took a gamble, Daniel bought him, nicked him off us, but that’s how it goes, and until they’re over the line, until they’ve signed on that dotted line, you’re open to them type of things happening.
“It’s a blow for Tottenham for sure.”
Read more: Portsmouth vs Southampton: One of English football’s fiercest rivalries explained
Michael Carrick would have propelled Pompey up Premier League
Carrick signed for Tottenham in the summer of 2004 and went on to become an instrumental performer for them.
The season prior, Portsmouth finished in an encouraging 13th position, maintaining their Premier League status at the first attempt.
That summer, the South Coast side signed Giannis Skopelitis and Aliou Cisse in that position, with neither leaving a lasting impact.
As for Carrick, he went on to become one of the best central-midfielders in English football and earned a move to Old Trafford.
While it was not meant to be, it is a case of what could have been at Fratton Park.
Sign up for the Pompey News WhatsApp channel and turn on notifications to have all the latest, breaking Portsmouth news sent straight to your phone.