Portsmouth boss reveals where transfer hunt goes next as player chase continues
Pompey are still looking to recruit in multiple positions before the close of the transfer window.
But John Mousinho acknowledged the Blues will have to be shrewd in the way they conduct their business before the close of summer business.
Nine players have been landed to date, with three weeks remaining until the deadline for player trading.
Mousinho revealed he’s happy with his options in both full-back areas, but all other positions will remain under consideration.
The middle of defence looks an obvious area of focus, as the Championship campaign opens at title favourites Leeds United this weekend.
There will also be a need to move players on to free up space in the squad as well as additional funds in the playing budget, with Ben Stevenson, Anthony Scully and Gavin Whyte the obvious considerations to be moved on at present.
The market at Championship level remains fairly slow, but now Mousinho anticipates a shift in its dynamic as Pompey eye further business.
He said: ‘We haven’t got a definite number on it, but there’s a few more positions we’d like to fill.
‘There’s certain areas we wouldn’t look at, we think in full-back areas we’ve got two right-backs and left-backs in.
‘Anything else that pops up in other areas, there’s still strengthening to be done.
‘It’s just been one of those markets so far. If you look at the top level, there’s hardly any movement in the Premier League at the moment.
‘That has a knock-on effect into the Championship. Compared to other seasons, there’s not a lot of movement in the Championship.
‘I think League One and League Two has been fairly fluid with players in and out, but that’s a different level.
‘The Championship is slower, but I think there will be a knock-on effect now in the next couple of weeks once the players from the Euros return to full training with their clubs, once under-21 players are released and once a bit more business happens at the top end of the market.
‘There’s always a knock-on effect as you go down the levels.’
Of Pompey’s recruitment so far, fees have been aid for three players in Aussie Jacob Farrell, Dane striker Elias Sorensen and non-league teenager Reuben Swann.
Five players have come in on free transfers in Jordan Williams, Josh Murphy, Matt Ritchie, Andre Dozzell and Jordan Archer with Sammy Silvera joining on loan from Middlesbrough.
Mousinho has confirmed money is available to spend on fees and the playing budget has more than doubled from last season, but also knows Pompey will have to recruit intelligently to get bang for their buck.
He added: ‘We have to be clever, we have to be smart about how we recruit and smart about the players we bring in.
‘It’s different, it’s about trying to make the best out of the market and trying to pick up very sensible frees like we did with Andre and like we did with Matt, Josh Murphy, Jordan Williams and Jordan Archer. We combine that with spending fees here and there.’