Portsmouth transfer state of play as Blues target late-window business
The latest Pompey transfer state of play as window enters final eight days.
It’s poised to be a frenetic finale to the summer window at Fratton Park as Pompey target late business.
It’s the final full week of the market and Pompey are expected to be busy, with incomings and outgoings required as John Mousinho assembles his squad.
Nine players have already arrived through the doors at PO4 so far, with that number anticipated to increase before the September 1 deadline.
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Odin Bailey, Eoin Kenny, Rocco Shein, Marko Milovanovic, Daniel Bielica, Luke Brooke-Smith, Abu Kamara, Benjy Arthur and Ryan Kavuma-McQueen have all joined as the Blues splashed the cash.
Exits have also taken place, with Makenzie Kirk, Toby Steward, Jordan Williams all departing on loan, while Ibane Bowat completed a permanent switch to Huddersfield Town earlier this month.
Incomings
In terms of incomings, Mousinho has admitted Pompey are looking at recruiting at least three new players in the final eight days.
Left-back is a priority position for the Blues due to the ongoing injury absences of Connor Ogilvie (knee) and Jacob Farrell (groin). This has required Zak Swanson to answer Mousinho’s SOS at left-back in the opening three matches.
Meanwhile, highly-rated Liverpool talent Luke Chambers is also believed to be a wanted figure at left-back, but does also have interest from Blackburn Rovers.
A central midfielder is on the shopping list in the final week of the window - more specifically a new number six.
The Blues have been in the market for a holding midfielder this summer but had a move for Antalyaspor’s Jesper Ceesay fall through earlier this month.
Out-of-favour Wolves talent Boubacar Traore was last week touted with a switch to PO4, with reports suggesting Pompey are interested in a loan move for the 25-year-old.
Cesar Peixoto’s side, however, are keen for the midfielder to depart on a permanent basis after a frustrating four-year stay at Molineux.
Mousinho is also on the lookout for a versatile attacker following the recent injury to Thomas Waddingham.
The head coach is looking to recruit a forward who can operate across the front-line, with Burton Albion’s Tyrese Shade also linked.
Departures
While fan excitement is always on any potential arrivals, a lot of the Blues’ late-window business will be attempting to move players on.
Pompey currently have 33 senior players (not including Tayo Singerr) in their ranks, with Franco Umeh, Thomas Waddingham, Eoin Kenny and Luke Brooke-Smith regarded as U21s.
The Blues are keen to offload Josef Bursik, Jacob Farrell and Luke Le Roux before the September 1 deadline, while Hayden Matthews will likely depart on loan.
Pompey are looking to send the £1.25m Aussie out on a temporary basis in a bid to earn regular match minutes away from PO4.
Meanwhile, Harvey Blair’s future is also under the spotlight, with Mousinho open to a potential exit for the winger, who is entering the final 12 months of his deal.
The former Liverpool youngster has reported interest from the likes of Widzew Łódź, Servette and Ferencváros in his services and could yet leave either on a permanent or temporary basis.
The injured Mark Kosznovszky, however, will not be registered in the 25-man EFL squad for the first half of the season as he continues his recovery from a serious knee injury. The Hungarian midfielder isn’t expected to complete his first-team return until January.