Portsmouth transfer chief provides fresh update over out-of-contract Fratton Park duo
Out-of-contract duo Connor Ogilvie and Zak Swanson have both been offered fresh terms to remain at Fratton Park this summer.
Rich Hughes has admitted Connor Ogilvie and Zak Swanson’s contract situations are heading towards a head.
And although the sporting director expects interest from elsewhere in the duo, he remains ‘hopeful’ the Blues can strike an agreement to extend their Fratton Park stays.
The pair are two of seven members of John Mousinho’s squad whose existing deals were coming to a conclusion at the end of this month.
Jordan Archer, Reuben Swann and Harry Clout are all leaving alongside Andre Dozzell, who rejected fresh terms. Meanwhile, skipper Marlon Pack penned a new 12-month contract to remain with his boyhood club.
But nearly three weeks have passed since Pompey announced both Ogilvie and Swanson had been offered fresh agreements to extend their south-coast stays.
Ogilvie is now the longest-serving member of John Mousinho’s ranks following his 2021 arrival, while Swanson will be looking to take his Fratton Park career into its fifth year after signing from Arsenal in 2022.
Fresh update over out-of-contract Pompey duo
And while Hughes has admitted those contract talks have yet to reach a conclusion, the sporting director is hopeful those negotiations are heading towards a conclusion.
Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, Pompey’s transfer chief said: ‘They’re progressing quite well at the minute. I think they’re close to getting towards a head.
‘Our position as a club has remained consistent, we’d like both to be here. Referring to a previous comment about having talented people around the building, there’s always going to be a demand on players, certainly as free agents.
‘But we’re hopeful we can find agreements to keep them both at the football club and that’s sort of reflected in the offers we’ve put to both of those players.’
Connor Ogilvie and Zak Swanson’s Fratton Park stays
Ogilvie, of course, was recruited by Danny Cowley after completing a switch from Gillingham in July 2021.
Since then, the former Spurs talent has established himself as an ever-present at left-back under both Cowley and Mousinho, helping the Blues rise from League One to an established Championship outfit.
During his successful five-year stay on the south coast, the 30-year-old has amassed 196 appearances in all competitions, netting on 13 occasions.
The 25-year-old’s stock is firmly on the rise having put his injury and availability issues behind him and totaled 35 outings last term - the most in any of his four campaigns on the south coast since switch from the Gunners.
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