On this day: Andres D’Alessandro rejects Portsmouth as he seeks club with 'bigger ambitions'
On this day in 2006, Pompey's hopes of signing Andres D’Alessandro were dealt a telling blow.
Reports in Portugal indicated the midfielder was eyeing a move elsewhere than Fratton Park.
D’Alessandro was reportedly keen on finding a club with ‘bigger ambitions’ than Pompey – despite the south coast club’s then £30m summer spending plans.
The 25-year-old said he was excited at the possibility of a switch to Benfica instead of the Blues.
Pompey insisted D’Alessandro’s representatives said he was still keen to come.
But they warned the Argentinian was not Harry Redknapp’s only attacking-midfield option.
D’Alessandro spent a fruitful three months on loan at Fratton Park during the 2005-06 season.
But a £4m asking-price by German side Wolfsburg and wage demands in excess of £30,000-a-week proved hurdles to a permanent deal.
At the time, the midfielder told Portuguese daily sports paper O Jogo: ‘What I know is that next week my future will be determined and that I would like to leave Portsmouth for a club with bigger ambitions.
‘I do not know anything of the interest of Benfica. But if this is true that would be magic.
‘Benfica is an incredible club, one of the most important in European football. But I repeat I do not know anything at this moment.
‘My representatives have informed me there is interest from England, Spain and Germany.’
Pompey, however, played down the reports.
As you all know, D'Alessandro never returned to Fratton Park. Nor did he get his magical move to Benfica.
Instead, he moved to Real Zaragoza on loan for the 2006-07 season, before signing for the La Liga side in a permanent deal the following summer.