Portsmouth rivals preparing £8m transfer swoop as Blackburn Rovers and Burnley eye defender
The latest transfer headlines involving Pompey’s Championship rivals.
There is less than a week to go until the transfer window gets underway.
John Mousinho explained earlier this summer that he expects Pompey to be busy in the market as he primes his squad for the new Championship campaign.
A number of areas are in need of some surgery, with the Blues looking to improve on their 18th-placed finish last term.
Indeed, a number of names have already been touted with a switch to Fratton Park during the window as the rumour mill continues to turn.
And the futures of some members of Mousinho’s squad are also under the spotlight, with Connor Ogilvie and Zak Swanson’s contract situations still to be resolved.
Elsewhere, gossip and speculation continues to mount across the Championship as clubs ready themselves for the window.
Here are the latest transfer headlines involving Pompey’s second-tier rivals.
Wolves and Watford battle for £8m striker
Wolves are preparing for life back in the Championship following their Premier League relegation last term.
Rob Edwards’ side, of course, finished bottom of the top flight, having picked up just 20 points from their 38 matches.
The Molineux outfit have already begun their summer recruitment drive, with Kieran Trippier and Raul Jimenez both reportedly touted with moves.
That is expected to ramp up ahead of the window, with SportsBoom suggesting Wolves and new Championship rivals Watford are tracking Brazilian striker John Kennedy.
The report suggests both English clubs have their sights set on the 24-year-old, with the Hornets believed to be readying an £8.6m offer to Fluminense.
Italian outfits Udinese and Cagliari are both believed to be interested as his stock continues to rise in South America, having netted 14 goals in 35 appearances in all competitions during the 2026 campaign so far.
It has been claimed neither Championship club have made an approach as yet, with the Brazilian side said to be holding out for up to closer to £13m.
Pompey will face Wolves in the league for the first time since the 2009-10 Premier League campaign, with the Blues doing the double over the West Midlands side.
Blackburn Rovers enter Middlesbrough race
Blackburn Rovers have reportedly joined the race to sign Middlesbrough defender Dael Fry.
That’s according to The Northern Echo, who have claimed a number of Championship clubs are waiting in the wings with his contract situation yet to be resolved.
The 28-year-old has been offered fresh terms to extend his stay at the Riverside Stadium, although the latest round of talks failed to progress.
That has prompted some interest elsewhere, with Blackburn the latest side to track the centre-back along with Lancashire rivals Burnley.
Rovers confirmed the appointment of Tony Mowbray on Friday, with the experienced head coach succeeding Michael O’Neill in the Ewood Park hot-seat.
Fry featured 34 times in all competitions last term - including both of Pompey’s triumphs over Boro, who fell to play-off final defeat to Hull City at Wembley last month.