Advisor tight-lipped on reports of Kanu exit

The 35-year-old is being tipped to join the Qatari outfit, who it is claimed have made a ‘mega-bucks deal’.

Kanu’s existing Pompey contract expires in the summer of 2013.

However, the club have been pursuing a mutual agreement to cancel it early.

As it stands, Kanu is one of the better-paid players in Michael Appleton’s squad.

However, he has been blighted by a back injury this season and subsequently not appeared since October.

The opportunity of one last pay day before bringing his career to an end would unquestionably be an attractive one to the 2008 FA Cup match-winner.

Yet when contacted by The News, Kanu’s representative Samuel Okoronkwo opted not to comment on the subject.

Regardless, Pompey are keen for Kanu’s exit as they look to bring their hefty wage bill under control.

He penned a new three-year deal in the summer of 2010.

At the time, the former Arsenal striker was entitled to a 12-month extension at wages of around £40,000.

Instead it was negotiated to spread such a cost over three years, satisfying both parties.

Subsequently, Kanu made 34 appearances under Steve Cotterill last season, scoring twice.

More than half of those were as a substitute.

The current campaign has seen his involvement restricted by a back problem.

The last of his three starts came in the goalless draw at Bristol City on August 20.

His final appearance was as a substitute in the 1-0 defeat at Ipswich on October 18.

Since then, Kanu has made just three of Appleton’s squads, but has never played under the current Blues boss.

Appleton himself has made it clear time is catching up with the Nigerian legend.

And Pompey would have no objection to a parting of the ways, with 12 months remaining on Kanu’s contract.