‘The rest of the market is telling us’: Portsmouth chief provides transfer spending update amid spending concerns
Talk over increasing transfer spending at Fratton Park has been rife following the close of the winter window.
Rich Hughes has revealed he’ll be sitting down with owners Tornante to discuss the current Championship transfer market.
And the sporting director has maintained the Blues’ position of remaining financially sensible when pursuing a player - something which was evident in their battle to sign Luke Graham last month.
Seven new faces arrived through the doors during the January market, of which four penned loan deals for the remainder of the campaign.
This has led to Pompey’s spending power once again coming under the spotlight, with established supporter groups this week calling for an increase in the playing budget ahead of the summer window.
In fact, John Mousinho told The News at the start of the month that ‘conversations’ will have to take place with Michael Eisner and the board to make sure the club are up to date with the pace of the current Championship market.
The Blues remain in the relegation zone when it comes to current spending power across the division, with the likes of Birmingham City and Wrexham both splashing the cash following their promotion from League One last term.
And after further financial movement in the second tier during the recent window, Hughes has revealed he will be sitting down with the board to dissect the market ahead of another crucial summer.
Rich Hughes on plans for transfer talks with Pompey board
Speaking at the Tony Goodall Fans’ Conference, the sporting director said: ‘We think we have (spent enough to improve the squad to stay in the Championship).
‘Every decision we made, every deal we’ve done, it’s with a view to strengthen and improve the squad.
‘We’ve done key work to strengthen the group and to strength in depth to cope with the Championship.
‘Going into the window, you know every player has a value. But the selling club may not have time to replace them in January – and that adds a premium to what you’d have to pay.
‘That means deals can tip into overpaying, and then it becomes more financially attractive not to do.
‘We’ll be sitting with the board to do a post-window wash-up and look at what the rest of the market is telling us. We’ll show them what fees are being paid elsewhere.’
The targets Pompey missed in January window
Although Pompey did have the funds to spend in January, they pulled the plug on three deals with the respective clubs significantly upping their valuation as the window progressed.
Instead, Ebou Adams and Madiodio Dia were the only two to arrive for transfer fees, while Keshi Anderson signed for a free transfer and Millenic Alli, Gustavo Caballero, Jacob Brown and Aji Alese all penned loan deals.
And the sporting director stressed the Blues’ spending power wasn’t the reason why his side missed out on their targets.
He added: ‘Did we miss out on targets? We didn’t get some players we wanted, yes. But of the three we actively targeted to bring in, all three didn’t move in January.
‘That shows it wasn’t cost based – their clubs just weren’t willing to move them in January, even though there was also competition from other clubs for them.’
Your next Pompey read: LATEST: Portsmouth boss reveals position over permanent move for Luton Town’s Millenic Alli