Pompey: We can buy Jason

04 September 2003

Portsmouth seem to have got a pretty good deal on the loan of Jason Roberts, if reports in the press down South are anything to go by. Pompey Chairman Milan Manderic is quoted as saying "We've got the option to buy him at any time. He's strong, quick and powerful and could do well for us". Manderic even goes on to say that he's forgiven Roberts for turning down Portmsouth three years ago and signing for Albion instead! The press stories also say that Portsmouth can buy Roberts at the same price that had been agreed with Wigan - ?2.25 million.

Although the exact financial details haven't been disclosed, comments from Portsmouth have described the total package for Roberts and his fellow signing, keeper Pavel Srnick, as being worth ?1.5 million; elsewhere they say that the pair will cost them ?1 million in wages, which suggests a chunk of the ?500,000 difference will be the fee to Albion for Roberts' services.

If Roberts does prove himself to be a success in the Premiership, Portsmouth look like they will be able to buy him at a bargain price; if not, Albion may be stuck with an asset that will be much harder to sell. But, perhaps, the one taking the biggest risk is Roberts himself. If he fails in the Premiership after complaining about Albion's tactics and praising Portsmouth's, he could find a new club rather hard to find...

?-?Thanks to John Wood and Dave Watkin

Previous Stories:

  02 September 2003:  Reserves switch venue

  01 September 2003:  Roberts leaves for Pompey

  01 September 2003:  Megson wins Manager of the Month

Back to the News Index