Portsmouth transfer latest: Pompey's move for international midfielder at a 'standstill'
Pompey’s move for Jesper Ceesay has apparently run into trouble.
Pompey’s move for Jesper Ceesay is currently at a ‘standstill’.
According to reports in Turkey, where the Gambia international currently plays for Antalyaspor, the Blues’ €1m move for the central midfielder has stalled, with no progress made over the past week.
Last Thursday it emerged that Pompey had struck a deal with the recently-relegated Süper Lig side for the Swedish-born defensive-minded player.
However, six days on from that agreement being reached, the deal has reportedly been put on hold due to issues with the structure of the ‘payment plan’.
‘Some problems arose’
Turkish journalist Koray Geçgel broke the news of the transfer twist via the Youtube channel 7 Numara.
Giving the latest on Pompey’s move to Ceesay, he said there’s still a chance Ceesay, who will need a work permit and visa to work in the UK, moves to Fratton Park. But, for now, the anticipated transfer has ground to a halt.
Geçgel said: ‘In our programme last week, I said that Ceesay's transfer to Portsmouth would very likely be completed.
‘But I think some problems arose regarding the payment plan, and right now, I am not saying the Ceesay transfer is cancelled, but I can say it has come to a standstill.
‘Since last week, there has been no progress in transfer negotiations regarding Ceesay and Portsmouth, it has remained stable.
‘I was expecting the transfer to become official by this week, but it didn't happen.
‘In addition to this, regarding Ceesay, of course, because there are certain procedures to be obtained regarding a work permit in England, these also need to be met.
‘We can say there hasn't been a very big development regarding Ceesay in the last week.’
Troubled Antalyaspor need to sell
Antalyaspor need to generate funds this summer, with the club under a transfer ban since the start of May for unpaid transfer fees.
That includes the €447,000 sum agreed with IFK Norrköping for Ceesay last summer, with that one of 15 unresolved cases and the club needing to raise €3m.
It’s also understood that Antalyaspor need to reduce their foreign player quota following their relegation to the TFF 1. Lig.
Pompey encountered similar issues in their negotiations with Dutch side NAC Breda for goalkeeper Daniel Bielica.
After seeing two bids rejected by the Eerste Divisie outfit, that deal look dead until a compromise was struck. The 27-year-old is now poised to move to Fratton Park for €600,000, with an official announcement expected very soon.
Bolstering John Mousinho’s midfield department is a priority for Pompey this summer, with Odin Bailey and Rocco Shein already recruited in that area of the pitch.
Andre Dozzell has joined DC United following the expiry of his Fratton Park contract. Marlon Pack is out for another five weeks after undergoing knee surgery last week. Meanwhile, Luke Le Roux has been told he’s not part of Pompey’s plans going forward.
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