Roma have confirmed their interest in Portsmouth fullback Nadir Belhadj.

The People says the Serie A runners-up, managed by former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri, want the £5million-rated Algeria international - also being watched by a host of Premier League sides including West Ham United and Bolton Wanderers, as well as Roma's arch-rivals Lazio, plus teams in Germany - and hard-up Pompey need to cash in on him.

Roma director of football Daniele Prade checked on Belhadj in the Desert Foxes' World Cup clash with Slovenia, and plans to watch the 27-year-old once more against England on Friday.

Prade said: "Belhadj is a player who has interested us for a number of weeks.

"I now have the chance to see him at close quarters in South Africa."