Pompey and Blackburn Rovers were linked with West Brom’s £2m defender Alfie Gilchrist earlier this summer.

Alfie Gilchrist was a name linked with Pompey in July as the rumour mill began to turn as the transfer window ramped up.

John Mousinho’s men were tipped with a raid on their Championship rivals West Brom by Sky Sports, who also touted Blackburn Rovers with a move for the defender.

placeholder image — Alfie Gilchrist. | Getty Images

But no sooner after the link emerged, a Pompey swoop for Gilchrist was wide of the mark, with the West Brom man not someone under consideration by the Fratton Park football operations.

Pompey-linked defender set for West Brom exit

However, the former Chelsea talent is not being tipped with a move to League One in the coming weeks, according to fresh reports.

Sky Sports’ Mark McAdam has stated the former Sheffield United loanee is now on the radar of League One outfit Leyton Orient.

It is believed the O’s are ‘in talks’ with the Baggies over a season-long loan agreement for Gilchrist, who is hoping to achieve more regular game time next term.

The Pompey-linked man has struggled for minutes during his 12-month stay in the West Midlands, registering just 15 outings in all competitions following his £2m switch from Stamford Bridge in August 2025.

And his frustrations have continued in pre-season, registering just 45 minutes of action in the Baggies four friendlies so far.

A second-half showing against Bromley represents Gilchrist’s sole outing ahead of the new campaign and was an unused substitute in their triumphs over Sheffield Wednesday, Shrewsbury Town and Peterborough United.

The centre-back now looks set to depart the Hawthorns this summer having fallen out of favour with new boss James Morrison.

He featured just twice in the Championship under the head coach following his interim appointment in March and was later appointed on a permanent basis in May.

Now, Leyton Orient are closing in on Gilchrist on a temporary basis as he bids to reignite his career.

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Pompey’s central defensive options

Ibane Bowat is closing in on his Pompey exit. | Getty Images

Although a move for Gilchrist was wide of the mark, the heart of defence could still be an area in need of some recruitment this summer.

The Blues, of course, missed out on the £2m capture of Luke Graham earlier this summer after a seven-month pursuit of the centre-back, who opted to join Championship rivals Stoke City.

Since then, noise of any new additions have remained quiet, with Mousinho instead looking to trim down his options.

One player who will depart this summer is Ibane Bowat, who is closing in on his Fratton Park exit after a frustrating two-year stay.

The head coach confirmed the 23-year-old missed Saturday’s draw with Darmstadt to finalise his move away.

This leaves five operators for Mousinho to choose from at present, with Regan Poole, Conor Shaughnessy, Josh Knight, Hayden Matthews and Madiodio Dia vying for starting roles.

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