Last Updated: Wed, 07 May 2008 09:20
Portsmouth's director of communications Gary Double has confirmed the club are hoping to replace Sol Campbell with Benfica's Luisao.
Double revealed that 33-year-old central defender Campbell will be on his way out of the Fratton Park exit door after the FA Cup final against Cardiff at Wembley on May 17.
Despite not revealing where the former Arsenal man will be heading to, he suggested 6ft 5in 27-year-old Brazilian stopper Luisao could be the man to come in and that talks have already started between Pompey and his current club Benfica over a £12million deal.
"The assessment of Luisao is very good," Double told The Daily Express.
"Campbell will leave and Luisao is [boss Harry] Redknapp's preference for the defence.
"We have already spoken to Benfica and they have set the fee at £12million as a starting point for negotiations."