Mark Catlin warns of coronavirus impact on potential deals for Portsmouth free agents
Pompey are poised to unveil their retained list as they prepare for another League One season.
However, Mark Catlin has warned contract offers for those they wish to keep will be impacted by the coronavirus crisis.
With inevitability, Brett Pitman is to headline those out-of-contract players Kenny Jackett will release.
Luke McGee, Adam May and Matt Casey are also departing, while Christian Burgess has secured a free transfer move to Belgium.
Ross McCrorie, Sean Raggett and Cameron McGeehan and Steve Seddon have now returned to their parent clubs upon the culmination of their loans.
That leaves Brandon Haunstrup, Lee Brown and Oli Hawkins as the remaining players whose futures require clarity.
Yet prospective contract negotiations will be complicated by outside financial factors in football.
Catlin told The News: ‘We will be talking to all the players individually.
‘We already have meetings scheduled with Kenny, the backroom team and our executives – and will be discussing what we recommend with the board over the coming few weeks.
‘It is very difficult at this moment in time to make any decision (on contracts) until we’ve got clarity on when the season is going to start, if so when are fans going to be allowed and what is the impact of salary caps if voted through.
‘There are so many imponderables at the moment to consider. It would be crazy at this moment in time to give someone a new two-year deal on X-amount a week.
‘For instance, we could find out in a few weeks the season is not going to start. Or will start with no fans or income coming in. Or there’s a breach of the salary cap.
‘Until we get some clarity, it is very difficult to make some firm decisions.
‘We have to look at every single piece of information at our disposal and make a best guess.
‘At this moment, there are so many variables to take into account.’
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