Harry Redknapp has hit out over the imminent prospect of a Premier League inquiry into his alleged 'tapping-up' by Portsmouth last month.

Officials are set to launch a probe into reports Redknapp met with Pompey chairman Milan Mandaric before his then club Southampton had been asked for permission.

But Redknapp insisted he has nothing to fear and urged the governing body to present any evidence of impropriety.

Redknapp said: "The whole thing is a lot of old tosh. It is not true. But let them investigate if they want; let them charge us if they want - I don't care."

Officially Pompey were remaining more tightlipped over the prospect, head of communications Helen Wood adding: "The FA have not charged us, and so we cannot be commenting on this matter which we have had to rebuff several times over the past few weeks."

Any inquiry is also likely to focus on the unusual betting patterns which preceded Redknapp's re-appointment, which the 58-year-old has made it clear he was unaware of.

Pompey's snaring of Redknapp just over a year after his departure from the club brought a furious riposte from Mandaric's Southampton counterpart Rupert Lowe.

Lowe insisted the affair had not all been conducted above board and he made his feelings clear when the move was concluded at the beginning of last month.

Lowe said: "We do not believe this episode has been conducted within the rules of the game and have made our understanding of the last week available to both the Premier League and the Football League."

However, Mandaric responded: "I have done everything properly and consulted with the Premier League. I have done nothing wrong."

Last year Chelsea were handed a £300,000 fine for making an illegal approach to Arsenal defender Ashley Cole while the player was still under contract.