Samuel Okoronkwo, the Nigerian's legal representative, claims the Queensland are keen to make Kanu their star player.

The newly-formed team are waiting to be given a licence to join the Australian A-League.

Okoronkwo said: "Kanu wants to play football and we would discuss Australia if things were not to work out with Portsmouth."

The 31-year-old stalled for time over the offer of a new one-year contract at Fratton Park in the summer before finally settling for a deal that triggered an automatic one-year extension after 20 appearances this season.

Now back from the African Nations Cup, where he was put out of action by a knee injury in the opening match, he has already clocked up 18 first-team appearances but only nine in the starting line-up.

He is training with Pompey on their four-day break in Spain after making his comeback as a substitute in the 1-0 win at Bolton last Saturday.