Pompey go for Viduka and Yakubu

The Fratton Park manager has made the strike partnership his top priority having already strengthened his defence with the captures of Hermann Hreidarsson from Charlton on Friday and Sylvain Distin from Manchester City, both on free transfers.

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The squad will be bolstered yet further with the expected arrival of midfielder Sulley Muntari from Udinese for £7million, but Redknapp is a legendary wheeler dealer and he has not finished yet. He is hopeful of landing Viduka, whose contract is due to run out next month, for nothing.

However, it is the potential return of Yakubu to Fratton Park that will represent a major statement of intent for the coming season.

Middlesbrough rate the Nigeria striker, who has scored 35 goals during two seasons at the Riverside, in the £10m bracket. Although Portsmouth will be hoping to drive down the asking price, the fee will still outstrip the club record £4.1m paid for Benjani or the projected deal for Muntari.

However, Redknapp has convinced Russian owner Alexandre Gaydamak the club must spend if they are to push on from last season's ninth-place finish in the Premiership, with Europe the clear objective for the coming campaign.

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate would, of course, be disappointed to lose both of his top forwards, and insists Yakubu remains happy on Teesside.

But the 24-year-old striker is known to be displeased at having been dropped in favour of Lee Dong-Gook for the final two games of the season, while a return south will not represent a problem as several family members still live in the Portsmouth area.

Viduka is not short of suitors, with Manchester United, Newcastle and West Ham all being linked with the Australia striker. But Redknapp has already made contact with him and is privately optimistic he has landed his man.

Hreidarsson shed some light on Redknapp's persuasive powers on Friday as he spoke about his move from Charlton to Portsmouth.

The Iceland defender admitted it would have been impossible to turn down the charismatic former West Ham manager for a second time and said he had been waiting four years to join Portsmouth after triggering a release clause in his Charlton contract to sign a twoyear deal at Fratton Park.

Recalling how he snubbed Redknapp to join Charlton from Ipswich in 2003, Hreidarsson said: "I could have come here four years ago and I was devastated to have to say No to Harry.

"Portsmouth were a club on the way up and Charlton were an established Premiership side but it was touch and go where I went.

"They called me after the last game of the season. I was already on my holiday, but as soon as I knew Harry was interested in me I was very keen to work for him."

Hreidarsson's switch would seem to have put paid to prospects of Titus Bramble joining Portsmouth following his release by Newcastle.

Discussing his latest capture, Redknapp said: "Hermann's a good signing. West Ham offered £2m for him in January and Charlton would not let him go.

"He is a big, strong and powerful defender. He has great attitude and is a good character. He is 32 but looks as fit as a fiddle and has looked after himself brilliantly."