By Paul Holmes
August 21 2002

Portsmouth are in talks with former Italian international Moreno Torricelli about a move to Fratton Park. The classy defender has left crisis club Fioertina after their dramatic collapse which saw them demoted to Serie C for financial reasons.

Torricelli joined Fiorentina from Juventus in 1998 and was a mainstay of the Italian team of the 90's.

Italian football is in crisis and the season has been delayed in the hope of finding a buyer for the TV rights to boost funds.

The 32-year-old revealed that talks are ongoing and a decision will be made before the weekend. "English football has always fascinated me - the stadiums, the play, the way of life and now I have this opportunity with Portsmouth.

"There is nothing in writing yet, but there is a firm interest because I have come here to evaluate the opportunity with my family.

"I will make a decision by the weekend."