Portsmouth boss outlines stance over permanent deal for Santos winger Caballero
The transfer latest over signing the Paraguay international and deals over Pompey’s other loanees.
John Mousinho has made it clear a permanent deal for Gustavo Caballero could be in the offing.
The Pompey boss has praised the Paraguay international’s impact over the second half of the campaign, following his arrival from Brazilian side Santos.
Mousinho on Caballero: ‘He’s come in and had a brilliant impact’
And Mousinho believes Caballero was showing his Championship threat before his campaign was curtailed by injury at Middlesbrough.
The 24-year-old has made 12 appearances after his leftfield capture at the winter window’s climax, with Pompey having an option to make that temporary stay permanent.
Caballero made a strong start to his stay at PO4, before his form dropped with some teething issues adjusting to the demands of Championship football.
He showed clear signs of coming to terms with those expectations, however, particularly out of possession, before a groin injury struck.
Mousinho has now indicated he’d like to see the former Nacional Asuncion man remain at PO4, after being impressed with what he’s seen from him.
When asked if Caballero has a Pompey future, Mousinho said: ‘I think so, I think he’s come in and had a brilliant impact.
‘The shame about Gus is he’d really built into his Portsmouth career (before suffering his injury).
‘He had a pretty exciting start and was then in and out of the side. Then by the time we brought him back in he was having a real impact in the games, especially the ones where we were sitting slightly deeper and looking to break on the counter-attack.
‘He looked so threatening in the Oxford game and very threatening in the Middlesbrough game on the counter, but unfortunately picked up his injury. So we will certainly take a view on Gus.’
In terms of Pompey’s other loanees, Conor Chaplin sees his deal at Ipswich Town come to a close this summer - though the Tractor Boys can take up a 12-month option on the Fratton favourite.
Mousinho has previously indicated a deal for the 29-year-old is something he’d be keen on exploring, though Chaplin told The News earlier this month he had ‘no idea’ what lies ahead for him at present.
Millenic Alli and Jacob Brown will return to Luton Town and remain contracted with the League One side this summer, though Alli yesterday indicated his contentment with life at PO4.
The other loanee, Aji Alese, returned to Sunderland with his Pompey stay spanning just four minutes of action as his injury woes continued when suffering a groin issue.
Mousinho added: ‘Chappers is out of contract, so we’ll see what that situation looks like in the summer.
‘Aji was one of the loans who’d had his injury problems, then you’re looking at Jacob and Milli who are both under contract with Luton - so we’ll see what happens with those two.’