Muntari close to Inter deal

4:13pm Friday 25th July 2008

Sulley Muntari is close to joining Inter Milan from Portsmouth, admitting the opportunity is too good to turn down.

Pompey boss Harry Redknapp has confirmed he will sell midfielder Muntari to Inter, now managed by Jose Mourinho, and therefore avoid having to make further sales.

Muntari spoke of his admiration for Redknapp and admitted he leaves Fratton Park with a heavy heart, saying: "There are teams when they come to you, you need to listen to them. Harry has developed my game, he has been a father figure to me. I love him, and also the Portsmouth fans, but when Inter call you need to listen."

Muntari added on skysports.com: "I already missed a chance to play for a super team (Manchester United) this time I need to seize it."

Portsmouth stand to make a significant profit on the Ghanaian midfielder, who joined from Udinese for £7million last summer and seems set to join the Serie A champions for £12.7million.

It could enable Redknapp to raise a £10million offer to Chelsea for long-term target Shaun Wright-Phillips - knowing he has adequate cover for Muntari in midfield with Lassana Diarra, Pedro Mendes, Papa Bouba Diop and Sean Davis.

Olympic silver medal for Jason