Portmsouth linked with midfielder again despite John Mousinho denials as Stoke target 21-goal striker
Championship transfer round-up from Wednesday, July 8.
As Pompey fans wait patiently for deals to be completed on Rocco Shein and Marko Milovanovic, we’ve been taking a look around to see what their Championship rivals are currently up to transfer-wise.
Here’s what he discovered on Wednesday, July 8, with less than eight weeks until the transfer window closes at 11pm on Tuesday, September 1.
Pompey linked again with midfielder - despite previous Mousinho denial
Pompey are once again being linked with a free-transfer move for former Peterborough midfielder Archie Collins.
That’s despite Blues boss John Mousinho ruling out a move for the 26-year-old last month.
According to the latest reports, Pompey are one of three Championship clubs who retain an interest in the player, with Millwall and Watford the other supposed interested parties.
Meanwhile, League One Oxford United, Sheffield United, Huddersfield and Reading are also being credited with a keenness to snap up the midfielder who made 159 appearances for Posh over the past three seasons and turned down the offer of a new contract at London Road.
Speaking to The News at the end of June, Pompey boss John Mousinho said: ‘We’re not signing Archie, there’s nothing in that.
‘I know Archie very well as a player, but that wasn’t something we looked at.’
Pompey have already added Odin Bailey to their midfield ranks and are closing in on a deal for Estonia international Rocco Shein.
Stoke lead race for 24-goal striker
Stoke City’s summer rebuild shows no signs of slowing down.
To date, the Potters have signed five new players following their 17th-placed finish in last season’s Championship table.
That includes former Pompey targets Luke Graham and Svante Ingelsson, plus former Blues loanee Josh Griffiths.
None of their new arrivals play in attack, a department that let Mark Robins’ side down last term.
But that could change very quickly, with Stoke reportedly leading the race for Sarpsborg 08 striker Daniel Karlsbakk.
The 23-year-old Norwegian has bagged three goals in 11 appearances so far for the Eliteserien outfit this season, taking his goal tally for the club to 21 following his move from Heerenveen in 2025.
Flashscore value the forward, who is under contract until 2028, at €4.1m.
West Ham identify Sheffield United defender as potential signing
West Ham want Sheffield United left-back Harrison - if defender El Hadji Diof is prised away from the London Stadium this summer.
Diof, who was part of the Senegal team that reached the knockout stages of the World Cup, has interest in him following the Hammers’ relegation from the Premier League last season.
And should the 21-year-old be tempted into a move back to the top flight, it’s claimed West Ham have identified Burrows as a potential replacement.
The 24-year-old has been at Bramall Lane for two seasons, arriving in a reported £4m deal from Peterborough United.
In that time, the defender has featured 93 times for the Blades, registering 11 goals and 10 assists for Chris Wilder’s side.
Before his move to Sheffield United, Pompey were known admirers of the Posh youth product.
West Ham begin their 2026-27 campaign with a home game against Pompey in the Carabao Cup on Saturday, August 8.
Meanwhile, Sheffield United have boosted their ranks by today signing Brentford forward Romelle Donovan on a season-long loan.
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