Portsmouth boss delivers update on Callum Lang's Fratton future amid proposed Preston North End transfer
The attacker has scored two goals in eight games for the Blues this season
John Mousinho insists ‘nothing has progressed’ with Callum Lang’s proposed move to Preston North End.
And the head coach is adamant he would have absolutely no issues with welcoming back the 27-year-old into the Blues’ first-team should the deal collapse.
Long-time admirers Preston ramped up their interest last week, to the point Lang where said his farewells at Pompey’s training ground on Friday, having not trained that day.
However, a deal with the Lancashire-based club has still to be agreed, with the clock ticking down towards today’s 7pm transfer deadline.
And Mousinho, speaking this afternoon, admitted it would be ‘brilliant’ if Lang remained a Blues player once the transfer window has shut.
He told The News: ‘As far as I am concerned, nothing has progressed there.
‘From my perspective, I have not been involved in any of that. I want Callum to stay and if he’s still a player tomorrow then that’s great.
‘My position has never changed. It’s the same situation with Callum in terms of going, there is no financial pressure on me to sell, there are a load of factors that do come into all of these transfers.
‘But, from my perspective, I would love to have Callum for the remainder of his time here and beyond if we possibly can. We will just see how that pans.
‘It would be brilliant to still have him here, I would be delighted. He’s fit, he is ready to go and is still training as hard as you can imagine.’
It is understood Lang has not trained with the Blues today ahead of tomorrow night’s visit of Ipswich to Fratton Park (7.45pm).
As a consequence, should he stay on the south coast, it is highly unlikely he would be involved in the 20-man squad for the rearranged cash.
Lang arrived from Wigan in January 2024 in a £400,000 deal and has since established himself as a huge fan favourite with his energy, work-rate and goal return.
However, persistent hamstring injuries have restricted him to just 11 appearances over the last 12 months, although Mousinho insists he is now fit and available.