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| Aaron Mokoena @ Backpagepix |
Portsmouth say they are “very close” to an agreement with Aaron Mokoena that will see the player leave the club for BidVest Wits.
The former Bafana Bafana skipper has been locked in talks with Pompey over compensation for the south coast club to buy ‘Mbazo’ out of his contract.
Initially he had asked for a settlement of almost R7-million, but it is believed the figure has been reduced.
Mokoena did not show up for the start of pre-season at Portsmouth on Monday having already committed himself to Wits for the new campaign.
Manager Michael Appleton had to work with just eight players as the League One team battle with financial woes that threaten to put the club out of business.
They will hope to get their high earners off the wage bill quickly, which includes Mokoena, the Nigerian Janu and the Israeli defender Ben Tal Heim.
Pompey were relegated to the third tier of English football last season after their financial problems meant they were placed into administration and received a 10-point penalty from the League.
Just two years ago they were finalists in the English FA Cup, losing to Chelsea, while the won the competition in 2008 under former boss Harry Redknapp. Those days seem a long way away for Pompey fans now.
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