Portsmouth have been given permission to speak to Newcastle defender Andy O'Brien as Graeme Souness clears the decks for his summer signings.
The 25-year-old Republic of Ireland international is understood to be due on the South Coast today to discuss the move, which would bring an end to his stay on Tyneside after more than four years.
O'Brien, a £1million signing from Bradford in March 2001, has made 172 appearances for Newcastle, 11 of them as a substitute, and scored five goals.
His contribution has included big Champions League games against Dynamo Kiev, Feyenoord, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen.
Meanwhile, Chelsea striker Hernan Crespo has revealed he will sign another season-long loan deal at AC Milan when he returns from international duty with Argentina.
Part of the arrangement with Milan however is that the 29-year-old must accept a cut in his wages.
Elsewhere, Chris Kirkland may be on his way to West Brom.
Twenty-four-year-old Kirkland is a target for Baggies boss Bryan Robson who is keen to prise the player away from Liverpool.
