Incredibly, a further 32 others were linked with a Fratton Park switch, who, ultimately, didn’t make the move to PO4.
We’ll never know if their arrivals might have changed the course of last season, with the Blues – under new head coach John Mousinho – eventually finishing eighth.
Nevertheless, it’s still interesting to see how each of these players’ seasons panned out and whether Pompey missed a trick.
Here’s what we discovered.
9. Kion Etete
Position: Striker Did he go elsewhere? Yes. Joined Cardiff for £500,000 from Spurs. Season review: Scored three goals in 30 league appearances for the Bluebirds, who narrowly avoided relegation from the Championship. Photo: Shaun Botterill
10. Kyle Joseph
Position: Striker. Did he go elsewhere? Joined Oxford on season-long loan from Swansea. Season review: Scored 10 goals in 41 appearances. Photo: Bryn Lennon
11. Brandon Thomas-Asante
Position: Forward. Did he go elsewhere? Joined West Brom from League Two Salford for £300,000. Season review: Made 42 appearances for the Championship side, scoring 14 goals. Photo: Pete Norton
12. Aaron Collins
Position: Forward. Did he go elsewhere? No. Stayed with Bristol Rovers for their return to League One. Season review: 16 goals and 11 assists in 53 appearances for the Gas. Photo: Michael Steele