Ashton heads Redknapp's shopping list

Portsmouth may enter the bidding for Norwich City's Dean Ashton as the Premiership club raise their targets in light of the new hoped-for investment from the Russian millionaire Alexandre Gaydamak.

The manager, Harry Redknapp, is already discussing bids for the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Sean Davis, who wants to leave, Newcastle's Amdy Faye, who left Portsmouth last year for £2m, and Auxerre's unsettled Zimbabwean striker Benjani Mwaruwari as well as a new goalkeeper. Redknapp may also return to his former club Southampton for the midfielder Nigel Quashie.

Ashton would cost £7m, with Norwich set to stick to their asking price for the 22-year-old after rejecting offers last summer of £6m from Manchester City and £5m from Wigan Athletic.

At present West Ham are believed to be heading the race to sign the striker, who arrived from Crewe Alexandra for £3m in the last winter transfer window and they are probably prepared to meet Norwich's demands. A striker has been their target for some time and they have had a bid for Crystal Palace's Andy Johnson rejected while interest has cooled for Porto's Benni McCarthy.

Wigan, despite the public statements from their manager, Paul Jewell, are monitoring developments regarding Ashton, but Portsmouth are also now expected to make enquiries.

The problem Redknapp faces, however, is in convincing the players he wants that Portsmouth are a viable prospect for avoiding relegation. The manager hopes to sign five or six new players, with the same number expected to leave.

The departures are likely to be headed by the winger Laurent Robert, who is wanted by Benfica. Yesterday his agent, Willie McKay, confirmed: "I have received contact from Benfica. We are analysing the situation because there are other clubs interested. It is possible that the player will go to Benfica."

The 30-year-old's arrival may hasten the departure of the Benfica winger Simao Sabrosa, although his price tag may prove too high for his main suitors, Liverpool. The deal for Robert would also have to be agreed by Newcastle.

The Portsmouth chairman, Milan Mandaric, has reached an agreement in principle for 30-year-old Gaydamak, the son of the controversial businessman Arkady Gaydamak, to buy 50 per cent of the club. He is believed to be paying £15m, with sources claiming yesterday that he could eventually invest up to £70m in Portsmouth, although much of that would be tied up in land and property.

It appears Gaydamak will be heavily involved in the overdue redevelopment of Fratton Park and may also regard the plans for a so-called Pompey Village retail and residential development, which is part of the scheme, as an investment opportunity.

Nevertheless Portsmouth hope that he will also add to the investment needed in the club, although they are unlikely to tempt - as was suggested yesterday - Barcelona's Henrik Larsson, who will leave Spain but only in the summer and then to return to Sweden.

Portsmouth may, however, enquire about Charlton's Danny Murphy, who is attracting interest from a number of clubs who believe he is unsettled at Charlton Athletic, with the 28-year-old Turkish striker Fatih Tekke, of Trabzonspor, also mentioned as a potential target. "Portsmouth have made enquiries," his agent, Ceylan Caliskan, claimed.

Redknapp said that there was "already money available for strengthening the squad and that's something that needs doing badly".

The captain, Dejan Stefanovic, said: "If we are to survive in the Premiership we need to strengthen the squad. That's obviously a job for Harry to sort out, and, hopefully, he can bring a couple of quality players to the club. With some good signings in this transfer window, we can stay up and then begin from there."