Portsmouth transfer chief addresses speculation on in-demand duo after Wrexham and Birmingham City links

Pompey kept hold of prized assets Adrian Segecic and Terry Devlin in the summer transfer window, despite interest from elsewhere.

Rich Hughes has reiterated Pompey received no bids for prized assets Terry Devlin and Adrian Segecic during the summer window.

And the sporting director has stressed the duo remaining at Fratton Park did not affect their transfer kitty in the window.

Segecic and Devlin’s future were both under the spotlight heading into the market after enjoying impressive Championship campaigns.

placeholder image — Adrian Segecic. | Jason Brown

The right-back, who had a £2m bid from Wrexham rejected by the Blues in January, collected a clean sweep at the club’s end of season awards, while the attacking midfielder finished as Pompey’s leading scorer.

The Red Dragons were expected to renew their interest in the Northern Ireland international but instead signed Danny Imray (£5m) and Issa Kabore (£2m).

Meanwhile, Segecic was reportedly on Wrexham’s radar before the window’s climax, along with Birmingham City and an unnamed European outfit.

Pompey transfer chief addresses speculation amid summer links for duo

But the Blues received no bids for either of their prized assets before the September 1 deadline, according to Hughes, who stressed the club were prepared if interest did materialise.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, the sporting director said: ‘No formal bids for either. There was a lot of noise - in the most respectful term - around the players.

‘The club are in a relatively strong position contractually on both of them and ultimately when no bids are made, there’s no decision to be made.

‘We had a lot of conversations internally around where things might go and how alternative scenarios may play out because that’s our job as a football club.

‘But when no bids are formalised, it makes it quite a simple process for the football club to follow through on that there’s no formal bids for the players so no plans were put into action.’

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Exciting financial boost after £11m spent in summer window

Portsmouth defender Terry Devlin (24) during the EFL Championship match between Bristol City and Portsmouth at Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol, England on 29th August 2026 | Portsmouth Football Club/Jason Brown No further distribution permitted without prior written permission/agreement

Pompey splashed the cash in the summer, spending £11m to recruit 12 new players to bolster John Mousinho’s ranks.

And having kept hold of Segecic and Devlin, Hughes is adamant the duo remaining at Fratton Park did not affect the transfer kitty in the window along with any future windows.

‘No, not at all. That was one of the conversations we had with the board.

‘We know as we progress and we have players that do well there will be interest in them - that’s a natural part of it.

‘But none of the plans this summer were predicated on exits of those two players in particular. So we were able to recruit in the way in which we did.

‘Even towards the end of the window with Tyrese (Shade) we were able to go and put an extra drop of icing on the cake with an extra player that we were really thankful for the backing of the board to be able to go and strengthen the group.’

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