Portsmouth rivals face competition in race for Rangers defender as West Ham plot £10m Stoke City raid
The latest transfer headlines involving Pompey’s Championship rivals.
Pompey secured their sixth signing of the summer window on Tuesday morning, unveiling attacking sensation Luke Brooke-Smith as their latest purchase.
The Blues fended off interest from across the glove to land the 18-year-old, who had admirers in Spain, Italy and in the United States.
The versatile winger has penned a four-year deal, with John Mousinho’s men reportedly paying £400,000 to complete his capture from Wellington Phoenix.
Transfer activity is far from complete in the window, with the Blues still looking to strengthen in a wide-range of positions, while outgoings will be required to accommodate any potential incomings.
Elsewhere, gossip and speculation continues to do the rounds across the Championship as clubs zero in on their transfer targets.
Here are the latest headlines involving Pompey’s second-tier rivals.
Swansea City eye Rangers raid
Vitor Matos is preparing for his first full season in the Swansea.com hot-seat following his appointment in November 2025.
The Portuguese coach has splashed the cash in the window this summer, with the £5m capture of Elijah Just from Motherwell a standout arrival.
That trend looks set to carry on, with Swansea City poised to venture back into the Scottish market to continue their recruitment drive.
The Scottish Sun have claimed the Swans have identified Rangers defender John Souttar as a potential target at the centre of defence.
It is believed the 29-year-old is on the radar in south Wales this summer, with Matos looking to bolster his armoury.
Swansea do, however, face competition from a number of Championship rivals - including Watford and Sheffield United, who have both earmarked the Scotland international as a potential signing.
Souttar could depart Ibrox this summer as he enters the final 12 months of his Rangers deal.
The centre-back has spent four years with the Glasgow outfit, amassing 132 appearances in all competitions and was also selected in Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad for the recent World Cup.
Swansea make the trip to Fratton Park at the start of November before Mousinho's men make the reverse trip to south Wales in January.
West Ham want Stoke City talent
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West Ham’s summer overhaul continues as they prepare for life back in the Championship.
After the big-money departures of Mateus Fernandez and Crysencio Summerville, the Hammers are now looking to reinvest some of their cash into potential incomings.
Indeed, transfer guru Alan Nixon has claimed Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are targeting a move for Stoke City winger Sorba Thomas.
The report suggests the Championship new-boys are plotting a raid on their second-tier rivals as the head coach looks to fill the void left by Summerville on the wing.
It has been suggested the Potters have slapped a £10m valuation on the Wales international who only made a £2m move from FC Nantes 12-months ago.
The 27-year-old had an outstanding campaign last term, netting 10 goals and collecting 13 assists as Mark Robins’ side finished 17th.
The Hammers are looking to get bodies through the door before their campaign gets underway against Pompey in the Carabao Cup on August 8.