Transfer gossip: Portsmouth relegation rivals want '£35k-a-week' Stoke defender as Derby line up move for international left-back
Latest transfer gossip from around the Championship ahead of January window opening on Thursday
Pompey boss John Mousinho has already admitted he’d like to welcome 3-6 new signings through the Fratton Park doors during the forthcoming January transfer window.
But you wonder if that number could increase given the injuries that prevented Josh Murphy, Callum Lang and Colby Bishop from lining up against Charlton Athletic on Tuesday night.
Or whether previous priorties could be altered, with midfielder Mark Kosznovszky also pulling up injured not long after he was introduced against the Addicks in the second half.
Only time will tell, with the winter transfer window opening for business on Thursday until 7pm on Monday, February 2.
In the meantime, here’s a glance at what some of the Blues’ Championship rivals are reportedly preparing do once January arrives.
Blackburn eye Stoke defender
Pompey relegations rivals Blacburn Rovers are reportedly keen on Stoke City defender Ben Gibson.
Transfer guru Alan Nixon claims Ewood Park boss Valerien Ismael wants the 32-year-old to help shore up his defence in the absence of several key players.
Scott Wharton (Achilles) and former Blues loanee Hayden Carter (calf) are currently out injured. Meanwhile, Ryan Alebiosu is currently on AFCON duty with Nigeria.
Blackburn, who lost to Pompey on December 13, are currently 19th in the Championship table on 27 points - and five points clear of the relegation zone. They continue to look over their shoulders despite just one defeat (against the Blues) in their past seven games.
Former Middlesbrough and Norwich centre-back Pearson has featured just twice for Stoke in the Championship this season.
It’s claimed, if Blackburn are to get their man, then it’s likely it will be in the form of a loan deal, with Pearson reportedly on £35,000 per week.
Derby linked with international left-back
Derby County are being linked with a move for USA international defender George Bello.
Football Insider claim the Rams are hot on the trail of the 23-year-old left-back, who is currently plying his trade with Austrian Bundesliga side LASK.
The former Atlanta United is in his third season with LASK, who sit second in the table behind leaders RB Salzburg.
Bello has featured 15 times for the Linz-based side this term, scoring once and registering three assists. And while he only signed a new contract with the club in September, it’s reported his club might be willing to do business if the price is right.
The defender is rated at £1.5m, with Derby keen to strengthen their left-back options following an injury to Owen Beck.
Derby are also closing in on the signing of midfielder Oscar Fraulo from Borussia Monchengladbach. The 22-year-old is set to join for a compensation fee of between €300,000-400,000.
Keeper to swap Middlesbrough for Hull
Hull are poised to bolster their goalkeeping ranks with a move for Middlesbrough stopper Seny Dieng.
Reports claim a deal has been struck by all the parties involved, paving the way for the 31-year-old to move to the MKM Stadium in January on a permanent deal.
Dieng, a £2m arrival from QPR in 2023, is yet to feature for Middlesbrough this season.
His contract at the Riverside Stadium will be mutually terminated despite it having a year-and-a-half remaining
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