‘Getting his happiness back’: Swansea City boost over reported Portsmouth, Preston North End and QPR target as interest grows
Pompey have been linked with Swansea City right-back Josh Key along with Preston North End and QPR
Vitor Matos has expressed his delight at seeing reported Pompey target Josh Key’s happiness back after a brilliant end to the campaign.
And the Swansea City boss has also explained the exciting traits the right-back possess as interest begins to grow.
The full-back had a club option triggered to extend his stay at the Swansea.com Stadium by a further 12 months earlier this summer, taking his Swans stint into a fourth season.
After his 2023 switch from Exeter City, the St James Park academy graduate has featured 112 times in all competitions in south Wales, scoring five goals and collecting eight assists.
Despite two successful campaigns, key endured a difficult Championship campaign under new boss Matos following his appointment in November 2025.
Regular minutes and appearances dried up as his form dropped halfway through the campaign, with the in-demand Ethan Galbraith impressing at right-back.
Swansea City boss on reported Pompey target Josh Key
But after breaking back into the side, Key enjoyed a positive end to the season, which also included a strike against Pompey in the Swans’ 2-1 win at Fratton Park in March.
And after a tough campaign, Matos explain his delight at seeing the full-back return to his best.
Speaking to BBC Sport earlier this year, the Swansea head coach said: ‘I think he's is getting his happiness back.
‘Sometimes it's not easy. Like in all professions in the world there's good and bad moments - for sure you guys had your bad and good moments as journalists.
‘Josh is a good professional, a wonderful kid. There's a lot of qualities that he has. I think he's in a better place at the moment and I'm just happy to see him like that.’
Vitor Matos on Josh Key’s attacking threat
During his three-year stay in south Wales, Key has amassed eight Championship assists, while also netting on five occasions.
And his creativity is something lauded by Matos as he adds attacking threat to his game.
‘Technical wise he's a good player, he has good crosses, he has good timing to finish in the box, he's aggressive on that kind of run.
‘I asked him - before he played as well as a left winger, so that's maybe why he understands that spaces.
‘We will use him there and other situations he will play in a natural position that is right-back.’