Portsmouth insiders are split over claims the club could be sold in the coming days.

Executives at Portsmouth told the Observer last night that they are "mystified" by rumours circulating on the south coast that owner Sacha Gaydamak is in advanced discussions with a European buyer finally to sell the club.

Sacha Gaydamak officially placed Portsmouth on the market in the autumn and is hoping to recoup more than the £50m he spent buying the club three years ago. Sources close to Gaydamak told The Observer that talks were under way and that "everything should be clearer on Monday" - though rated the chances of the sale being completed this week as only "40 to 50 per cent".

However, club executives last night denied knowledge of the potential deal.