Denials from South African gold-mining supremo Greg James of interest in Portsmouth have been met with skeptism.

A spokesman for Central Rand Gold (CRG) attempted to downplay James's involvement in the club's future yesterday.

James met Alexandre Gaydamak, the club's owner, in Portsmouth last weekend. Also attending was Pini Zahavi, the Israeli agent. It was suggested James was there to discuss South African players moving to Pompey.

However, The Times says it is difficult to understand why a leading player on the world business stage such as James would take the time to broker the sales of South African players to a football club whose payroll cannot support any additions.

The statement from CRG denied that James or the company wanted to buy a football club, but James is certain to know wealthy people who will, either in South Africa or Switzerland, and a source close to last weekend's talks confirmed that James was not present solely on his own account.

It is known that there are wealthy South Africans keen to move into the English Premier League. Whether James agrees that a reported asking price of £70 million represents good business remains to be seen. He may also be able to knock the price down if he judges that Portsmouth are not in a position to turn down a lesser offer.