‘I do expect’: Volendam chief makes intriguing transfer admission over reported Portsmouth target Gibson Yah
Pompey have been linked with a move for Volendam midfielder Gibson Yah.
FC Volendam sporting director Patrick Busby doesn’t expect Gibson Yah to remain with the club next season.
Football Insider have claimed John Mousinho’s side are set to secure the 22-year-old’s services on a free transfer following De Palingboeren’s relegation from the Eredivisie.
Yah flourished at the Kras Stadion after making the move from Utrecht 12-months ago, which saw him feature 24 times in all competitions.
Despite his strong showings, Volendam were relegated from Holland’s top flight after suffering a penalty shootout defeat during a two-legged promotion/relegation play-off head-to-head against Willem II.
It is likely the Ajax youth product has played his final game for Erwin van de Looi’s side, with their relegation expected to allow him to depart for free. And Fratton Park is expected to be his next destination - if the rumours prove to be correct.
Yah impressed during the first half of the campaign with De Palingboeren, with his eye-catching displays prompting plenty of talk over his future.
The Dutch youth international started 15 of Volendam’s opening 18 matches and became a mainstay in the engine room at the Kras Stadion.
Volendam transfer chief makes intriguing admission over reported Pompey target
Although Yah’s form dipped after a two-month injury lay-off, his impressive performances in the opening months of the campaign saw sporting director Busby resign to the possibility of an exit for the midfielder this summer.
Speaking earlier this season, he said: ‘If he keeps this up, he won't be playing for us next season.
‘We had known him for quite some time. A type of player we really wanted because of his height, strength, and footballing ability. We had to be patient with him. An important player for us.
‘We have maintained a narrative that suits his development. If we can benefit from him for a year, I do expect that we will lose him.
‘If a player with his qualities plays in the Eredivisie for one year, FC Volendam is not his final destination.
‘If Yah had been fully fit, we wouldn't even have come into the picture. We struck when we could.’
John Mousinho’s Fratton Park engine room
Pompey are in the market for a new midfielder this summer following the departure of Andre Dozzell.
It means Ebou Adams, Marlon Pack and Luke Le Roux are Mousinho’s specialist options at present due to Mark Kosznovszky long-term knee injury.
The Hungarian is expected to be sidelined until the end of the year after suffering ACL and MCL damage against Charlton Athletic in December.
The head coach did utilise John Swift in the middle of the park at times last term, although the 30-year-old’s preferred position is in the number 10 role.