The two essential signings Portsmouth need - and they're already at Fratton Park

As Pompey eye recruiting in the forthcoming transfer window, they still have long-standing business in-house to conclude.

Namely two out-of-contract players who are pencilled in to remain as pivotal members of John Mousinho’s first-team in the 2026-27 campaign - should they decide to commit, of course.

Talks have been ongoing with popular pair Connor Ogilvie and Zak Swanson since the Blues’ Championship fate was secured a fortnight before last season’s end.

In the case of Ogilvie, the 30-year-old is Pompey’s longest-serving player and, realistically, sole left-back option at present in a position which urgently requires strengthening.

For Swanson, signed a week after Marlon Pack’s return in the summer of 2022, he is negotiating off the back of his finest season for the Blues in a career which now finally appears ready to soar.

Such is their prerogative as free agents, they are entitled to assess all offers tabled, including from alternative clubs, yet Pompey continue to be quietly confident.

Irrespective of contract talks having now entered a seventh week, there remains genuine optimism the pair will extend their Fratton Park stays.

‘It is progressing quite well at the minute’

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent last week, sporting director Rich Hughes said: ‘It is progressing quite well at the minute, I think they are close to getting towards a head. I think our position as a club has remained consistent, we would like both to be here.

‘Again referring back to that previous comment about having talented people in the building, there is always going to be a demand on players, certainly free agents.

‘But we are hopeful we can find agreements to keep them both at the football club and that is sort of reflected in the offers we have put to both of those players.’

The ever-dependable Ogilvie’s previous Pompey contract was signed in mid-June 2024, in the aftermath of the League One title success clinching a Championship return.

At that stage, the former Gillingham man had never played above League One. He has since absolutely proven himself to be Championship standard, albeit after a rather troubled start.

Now aged 30 and with 196 appearances for Pompey, he has continued to be John Mousinho's first-choice left-back, having seen off Jack Sparkes and Jacob Farrell in recent times.

Pompey need at least one new left-back

In fairness to Sparkes, for a period of time he played a key role in the Blues’ starting XI during Ogilvie’s injury absence in 2023-24. The former Exeter man’s natural attacking game and set-piece delivery surpassed his rival.

However, Sparkes, who was sold to Peterborough months after promotion, lacked the defensive talents of Ogilvie and wasn’t viewed as a player capable of making the transition into the Championship.

Meanwhile, the promising Farrell has made just three appearances in two years at Fratton Park, primarily through injury, and ended last term back in the A-League on loan with Western Sydney Warriors, before injury struck again.

The Australian’s ongoing Pompey future is now in doubt. Regardless of whether Ogilvie stays, the Blues require at least one more addition to the left-back position.

No doubt Ogilvie will be pursuing improved terms at Fratton Park having established himself at Championship level, certainly his consistent and reliable performances warrant such reward.

Missed final eight games of the season with injury

With Swanson, last season marked the first time he has started more than 24 league games in a campaign, reflecting the former Arsenal man’s struggles to establish himself in the starting XI.

Those injury issues which dogged his early years on the south coast appear to have subsided, although he still missed the final eight games after undergoing surgery on his knee.

That operation is expected to put him out of action for up to 16 weeks, potentially impacting on his pre-season at whichever clubs he ends up with.

Turning 26 in September, this is an important contract for Swanson, whose stock is high after a superb 2025-26 season which saw him among Pompey’s top performers - and achieved in the foreign role of left-back.

Mousinho will be looking for Swanson to establish himself as first-choice right-back next season, particularly with the possibility of Terry Devlin being sold after sweeping the Player of the Season awards.

In a career totalling just 92 career starts to date, the ex-Arsenal under-21s skipper requires a regular starting spot - and in his preferred right-back position.

The transfer window opens on Monday, June 15, with Rich Hughes and Brad Wall plotting squad strengthening ahead of a third successive Championship season.

Yet retaining Ogilvie and Swanson remains just as crucial to Pompey’s ambitions.

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