Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said he is astounded by news that centre-half Sol Campbell is close to signing for fellow Premiership rivals Portsmouth FC.

The veteran England international is expected to be unveiled at Fratton Park after undergoing a medical at the south coast club.

The latest reports say that 31-year-old Campbell is poised to make a transfer move to Harry Redknapp’s Portsmouth, which surprised Wenger who thought the former Spurs star was planning to travel overseas to continue his career after having recently cancelled his contract with the Gunners since moving to Arsenal from local rivals Tottenham Hotspur in 2001 on a free-transfer.

Campbell recently said: “I have nothing left to prove in England, but it would be special if I could now go to the continent and make a major statement in a foreign league too.”

But now it seems the England centre-back has suddenly changed his mind, which has come as a surprise to Wenger, who admitted he was taken aback by Campbell's apparent change of mind.

“I have no regrets, but it is a big surprise to me because he cancelled his contract to go abroad,” said Wenger.

Pompey boss Redknapp is trying to secure a one-year deal for the former England captain, with the option of a 12 month extension for the former Arsenal star.

Redknapp is hoping that Campbell could form a new central-defensive partnership with French defender Sylvain Distin, the former Manchester City skipper who is reportedly close to agreeing a £4 million (€6 million) move from Manchester City.

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