The state of play over Portsmouth homecoming for Jed Wallace after West Brom exit
News over how things stand on a Fratton Park return for the huge former favourite in the months ahead.
A Pompey return for Jed Wallace is looking increasingly unlikely this summer.
The News understands the Blues are currently pursuing other avenues as they look to bolster their attacking resources, with the transfer window opening on Monday.
Pompey not exploring Wallace deal at present as favourite plots next move
And the big former Fratton favourite appears set to explore one of the many options set to open up for him, as he decides the next move in an impressive career.
Pompey are pushing on with their recruitment plans, with another busy period of player trading expected in the months ahead.
The attacking department will be a major area of focus, with multiple new faces needed across the front line.
That has naturally seen Wallace’s name mentioned among supporters, as the 32-year-old becomes a free agent after four years with West Brom.
The former Fratton favourite has huge Championship experience under his belt, after a successful career spent in the second tier with the Baggies, Millwall and Wolves.
That means he will not be short of suitors in the months ahead, as he spends time recharging with his young family.
That is Wallace’s current focus as he maintains his fitness, before focussing on his next career move in the coming weeks.
There’s been no discussions with Pompey over a return to PO4 at this stage, 11 years on from leaving his first club in the professional ranks.
Wallace also doesn’t fit the model of buying players the club can develop as assets, but they have diverted from that policy successfully as they brought in Ebou Adams from Derby County for £500,000 in January.
Pompey seem to be looking at alternative options, as they cast their net wide when it comes to strengthening their squad for a third Championship campaign.
Speaking to The News last month, chief executive Andy Cullen suggested the Blues will look at recruiting across Europe and beyond.
He said: ‘I think we will be (looking abroad) - we’ll continue to monitor all markets.
‘We’re obviously bound by immigration rules, however.
‘First of all we have the Governing Body Endorsements, which mean you need established players.
‘What we have used is the Elite Significant Contributions, but you are limited on those and the FA are currently suggesting there will be restrictions which will restrict you even further.
‘That is something we need a quick decision on because it affects our recruitment approach this summer, as it will for all clubs.
‘In the Championship you are restricted to four at any one point, but they can transition.
‘We’ve had a number transition by virtue of the fact they’ve had first-team appearances or been with us for some time.
‘Adrian Segecic and Hayden Matthews are examples of players who transitioned from ESC to GBE.
‘Also with loan players, let’s say Minhyeok (Yang), he is an ESC player. He will be part of Spurs' quota and also part of our quota when we bring him in.
‘If you cast your mind back to Adil Aouchiche, we had to transition a player to GBE to get him in. Then those rules changed in 25-26 and we wouldn’t have been able to do that, because the transition has to take place the window after the player has achieved his GBE status.
‘So the rules are constantly changing and also prevalent on the fact there needs to be a certain number of English-qualified players in the leagues.
‘If any one league falls behind the quota the Home Office can withdraw the scheme.
‘It’s hugely important to a club like Portsmouth, because we’ve used the European market well and we try to drive it to the max.
‘So it’s something which does impact when you look at overseas markets for players who don’t have British passports.
‘It’s not clear at the moment (what the changes will be), so all of us in the Championship are trying to ensure there’s clarity over what ESC looks like because it has changed every season so far.’