Transfer gossip: Swansea City talent Josh Key ‘wanted’ by Portsmouth as Championship interest grows
Pompey, Preston North End and QPR have been linked with Swansea City right-back Josh Key.
Pompey have been credited with an interest in Swansea City right-back Josh Key.
It’s been a quiet start to the transfer window at Fratton Park as business gets underway.
Action is expected to ramp up as the weeks progress, however, as John Mousinho assembles his squad for the Blues’ third-successive Championship campaign.
Pompey linked with Swansea City right-back Josh Key
One of the names touted with a move is Key, who has emerged as a potential transfer target for Pompey.
That’s according to Football League World, who have reported the right-back is a ‘wanted’ man at PO4 as interest in his name grows.
The article suggests a ‘plethora’ of Championship sides are monitoring his situation, with QPR and Preston North End also named.
Swansea triggered a 12-month option on his terms earlier this summer, but his future still remains uncertain after falling down the pecking order under head coach Vitor Matos.
This has prompted talk of potential departure this summer for the 26-year-old, whose Swansea.com Stadium deal now runs until 2027.
Who is reported Pompey target Josh Key?
After rising through the ranks with Exeter City, the defender completed a move to Swansea City in 2023, with the Welsh outfit reportedly paying a six-figure compensation fee for his services.
Indeed, Key initially established himself as first choice during his opening two campaigns with the Swans, featuring 78 times during that time.
But following Matos’ appointment in November, starts and regular match minutes came at a premium for the defender, with Ethan Galbraith instead preferred at right-back.
Galbraith has reported admirers of his own this summer, with his future under the spotlight amid growing interest from newly-relegated West Ham.
During his three-year stay in south Wales, Key has totalled 112 appearances in all competitions, as well as netting five goals and collecting eight assists.
But interest is reportedly ramping up as he heads into the final 12 months of his current terms, with Pompey apparently one of those sides keeping tabs.
Pompey’s current right-back situation
Mousinho is currently well-stocked in the right-back department, with Terry Devlin, Zak Swanson and Jordan Williams all vying for spots last term.
That picture is expected to shift during the summer window, however, as admirers grow in a number of their key figures.
The Blues are bracing for strong interest in Devlin, who enjoyed an outstanding breakthrough campaign on the south coast.
Swanson has been offered fresh terms to remain at Fratton Park, with Pompey hopeful a new deal can be struck with the popular 25-year-old.