'Fallen through' and empty handed, but reasons to be encouraged over early Portsmouth transfer intent
The Blues lost key central midfielder Andre Dozzell in the summer to MLS side DC United
The signs are abundantly there, even if the numbers have still to stack up.
Gibson Yah’s purported Fratton Park switch has ‘fallen through’, yet Hungarian under-21 international Mate Tuboly reportedly remains a consideration.
As it stands, neither transfer pursuits have reached a satisfactory conclusion in terms of Pompey’s midfield being strengthened ahead of their pre-season return.
Nonetheless, the desire is clearly there among Rich Hughes and his recruitment team to bolster a position which is currently worryingly light and, arguably, needs two fresh additions.
The departure of Andre Dozzell, Mark Kosznovszky’s long-term injury, Luke Le Roux’s struggles and John Swift’s unsuitability to that specific requirement, demonstrate the importance of addressing a glaring weakness within John Mousinho’s squad.
With Marlon Pack also turning 36 during the season, strong questions over who exactly will be partnering Ebou Adams in the centre of midfield on a regular basis are entirely legitimate.
A move has ‘fallen through’
Certainly interest in Yah and Tuboly reflects an issue Hughes & Co are attempting to address early in the summer transfer window, which remains encouraging, even if they have yet to succeed.
A move for Yah, a 25-year-old with Dutch club Volendam, has ‘fallen through’ according to BBC Radio Solent’s Andy Moon. Apparently, that disappointing development also happened last week.
Reports had previously claimed the midfielder would this summer be allowed to leave the Eredivisie side on a free transfer following their relegation from Holland’s top flight.
Whether that situation can be resurrected remains to be seen, likewise if Pompey still possess the motivation to do so. Let’s not forget, though, that transfer chases are not straightforward, as evidenced by Kosznovszky last summer and Joe Morrell in August 2021.
Second in Slovakia’s top flight
In the case of Tuboly, Sky Sports have claimed the Blues lodged a £1.3m bid for the DAC Dunajska Streda youngster, who has also been linked with Swansea and Watford.
He totalled 35 appearances and two goals in Slovakia’s top flight last term, enjoying an eye-catching season as they finished second behind champions Slovan Bratislava in the Nike Liga.
Contracted until the summer of 2028, a potential drawback would be that Tuboly wouldn’t be considered as an under-21 player in accordance to Football League squad criteria, having been born before January 1, 2005.
It means he would be regarded as a senior player and therefore counting towards the 25-man squad, as now do Adrian Segecic, Madiodio Dia, Hayden Matthews and Makenzie Kirk.
Regardless, if Sky Sports’ sources are impeccable, the links with Tuboly again signal Pompey’s intent to recruit young talent this summer and, in this instance, a much-needed central midfielder.
Sorely missed West Ham’s Freddie Potts
Even with Dozzell enjoying a fine season in 2025-26, Mousinho still sorely missed being able to call upon the likes of Freddie Potts and, to an extent, Isaac Hayden in the centre of the park.
Le Roux was given two rare starts at the season’s end once survival had been secured - and with Pack nursing a knee issue - while Kosznovszky has been sidelined since the end of December 2025 after sustaining an ACL injury.
Although Adams was an instant fan favourite, a knee injury at QPR in March kept him out for four matches and he wasn’t quite the same upon his return.
Realistically, two central midfielders urgently need to be recruited this summer, of which at least one must have the attributes to be employed as an immediate first-team starter. Patience isn’t a virtue in football.
Whether the successful candidates are Yah and Tuboly remains to be seen, yet at least there is welcome evidence this is an area which the Blues are eager to bolster.
Although, whoever they bring in, let’s hope it is also of the required quality - certainly that cannot be said for the majority of Pompey’s transfer dealings 12 months ago.