Ghana and Udinese midfielder Sulley Muntari(photo) has revealed he expects to join Portsmouth this summer.
Fratton Park boss Harry Redknapp tried to buy the 22-year-old last summer, but was put off by the £11m asking price.
But Muntari told the Portsmouth News: "I’m just waiting for the day to join Portsmouth. I want to play here."
Redknapp, meanwhile, has said he wants to sign Arnold Mvuemba on a permanent basis after the midfielder’s loan spell at the club from Rennes came to an end.
The French 22-year-old, who is rated at around £3m, played in seven matches after joining on loan in January.
And Redknapp said: "The boy has shown great potential and could have a future here, but it would have to be for the right money."
Muntari’s fee would most likely be nearer £7m, but the Ghanaian is confident a deal will be done.
He says he has agreed personal terms and claims he has been "supporting" Pompey for a year since Redknapp first tried to sign him from Italian Serie A club Udinese.
Muntari has already played at Fratton Park - in Sunday’s charity game organised by striker Nwankwo Kanu.
And he said: "To step on this ground, it is like I’ve started in the Premiership already. It is a fantastic club with class players like Pedro Mendes, Sol Campbell, David James and Kanu.
"The club also have a great manager in Harry Redknapp, who has been following me since last year.
"I spoke to him before the game. We shook hands and told me to enjoy it. He is not just a good manager but a good man. I saw the way he spoke to players in the changing room. It was fantastic.
"So were the fans. To see them turn up to cheer us on for Kanu’s game in the way they did was fantastic."
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