The wait for incomings continues at Fratton Park, with Pompey expected to ramp up their business ahead of the trip to Sheffield Wednesday next week.
It’s set to be busy on the south coast as John Mousinho looks to improve his squad ahead of the hugely-important second half of the season.
Following Mark Kosznovszky’s season-ending knee injury, Pompey have been left with Marlon Pack, Andre Dozzell, John Swift and Luke Le Roux as their options in the middle of the park.
With potentially two new faces needed in the engine room - a holding midfielder as well as a versatile number eight - we’ve scoured the markets to find 14 potential midfielders who could be realistic options for the Blues in January.
9. Tatsuki Seko - Stoke City
The Japan international is midway through his 18 month deal at Championship rivals Stoke City, which has seen him register 55 appearances to date. However, the 28-year-old, whose strongest ;position is in the number six role, has been in-and-out of Mark Robins side this term. Seko has started just 16 of the Potters’ 26 matches this term but has had to settle for a place on the bench in three of the previous five matches. | Getty Images
10. Luca Connell - Barnsley
The 24-year-old has been an ever-present for Barnsley over the previous four seasons, establishing himself as one of League One’s most prominent holding midfielders. The former Scotland youth international has amassed 150 appearances in the third tier and has been linked with top-end League One sides as well as Championship suitors. A £1.3m bid was rejected by the Tykes in the summer for Connell’s services, who is entering the final 18 months of his Oakwell deal. | Getty Images
11. Stefan Thordarson - Preston North End
Mousinho has previously highlighted Preston’s recruitment in the Scandinavian market, with Thordarson being one who has done a solid job in the Championship since his 2024 arrival. The 27-year-old, who has amassed 34 appearances at international level for Iceland, has featured 64 times for the Lilywhites in 18 months. The midfielder is expected to depart Deepdale before the end of the window, with Hannover touted with an £800,000 move for his services. | Getty Images
12. Jay Fulton - Swansea City
Fulton has spent 11 years with Swansea City, amassing 306 appearances to date, which included a loan spell with Wigan in 2018. However, the holding midfielder has fallen down the ranks in new boss Vitor Matos’s engine room and is entering the final six months of his terms at the Swansea.com Stadium. Could a loan option be available this month? | Getty Images