Bristol City 'super close' to signing former Ipswich captain Sam Morsy ahead Portsmouth's New Year's Day trip to Ashton Gate
Pompey travel to Bristol City on New Year’s Day looking for points that will help in their battle against Championship relegation
Bristol City are ‘super close’ to bolstering their ranks ahead of their New Year’s Day game against Pompey at Ashton Gate.
The Robins, who beat the Blues 1-0 at Fratton Park at the end of November, are poised to announce the free-transfer arrival of former Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy ‘in the next few days’.
The midfielder and one-time Tractor Boys team-mate of Fratton Park loanee Conor Chaplin has been linked with a move to the promotion-chasers in recent days as manager Gergard Struber looks to build on an impressive first half of the season.
Now that switch appears to be a formality, with the City boss confirming his intentions to wrap up the signing as soon as possible.
Speaking after his side’s victory at West Brom on Boxing Day - a result that sees the Robins sit sixth in the Championship table - Struber said: ‘Yes, we are super close with Sam.
‘I would say (that) Sam gives us a little bit more experience. He’s a player with a little bit of a different face and he can be, of course, on the pitch for us super important.
‘But also, next to Knighty (Jason Knight), next to Rob Dickie, next to Zak Vyner, he can be also in the dressing room for us an important player. We had the chance to get him, and I would say (in) the next few days, maybe he has a Bristol City shirt on.’
Who is Sam Morsy and why is he on a free transfer?
Morsy, 34, has been a free agent since his decision to quit Kuwait SC in September - just months after leaving Portman Road on a free transfer and joining the Kuwaiti Premier League side in the summer.
The former Middlesbrough, Barnsley and Wigan midfielder made 165 appearances for Ipswich before his departure and skippered the side when they won back-to-back promotions to the Premier League.
Even though the January Transfer widow does not open until the day of Pompey’s trip to Ashton Gate, Morsy’s free-agent status means he does not have to wait until Thursday to sign and could therefore feature against the Blues if his arrival is announced in the days leading up to the game.
Pompey midfield also needs reinforcing
Pompey are also expected to bolster their midfield ranks during the January transfer window, with Andre Dozzell the only member of John Mousinho’s engine room looking capable of holding down a regular spot in the Championship strugglers’ team.
Hungarian Mark Kosznovszky has started the past two games alongside Dozzell in the Blues midfield, but the jury remains out on summer signing from MTK Budapest.
Marlon Pack, John Swift and Luke Le Roux have also featured there, but reinforcements are needed if Pompey want to retain their Championship status for another year.
Mousinho has admitted he would like 3-6 new signings next month, with sporting director Rich Hughes admitting fans might have to wait until later in the window to welcome any new faces to the club.