Portsmouth target priority position to strengthen as summer transfer window looms

A new centre-forward tops Pompey’s wish-list as they target crucial squad strengthening this summer.

With the transfer window opening on Monday, The News understands the priority is to bolster striking options in light of last season’s goal problems.

There remain glaring gaps in John Mousinho’s team, namely in the centre midfield, left-back and wing options, which will also be addressed by sporting director Rich Hughes and his recruitment team.

However, the Blues accept it is pivotal to improve on a centre-forward area which produced just five league goals between four players last term.

Indeed, with 49 goals in 46 games, they were the sixth-lowest scorers in the Championship - unsurprisingly, all of those clubs finished in 18th place and below in the table.

Scouring Europe for the solution

As a consequence, Pompey want a new first-choice striker, a search which is taking them abroad, with value for money and player potential once again hugely-important pre-requisites.

With Mousinho continuing to favour employing a lone centre-forward, that would potentially relegate Colby Bishop to a back-up role after a difficult 2025-26 campaign.

Despite his obvious scoring struggles, the 29-year-old continued to be Mousinho’s most effective option last term, yet there are concerns whether he can reignite his goal touch at Championship level.

Previously Pompey’s top scorer for three successive seasons, he contributed four goals in 43 outings last season, of which one was a penalty against Charlton.

Indeed, nobody featured more for the Blues in the 2025-26 campaign, sharing that appearance record with The News/Sports Mail Player of the Season runner-up Regan Poole.

Damning reflection on striker alternatives

That reliance on a player enduring the worst scoring spell of his career, was a damning reflection on the lack of alternative replacements available to Fratton Park’s head coach.

St Johnstone recruit Makenzie Kirk fell out of favour as the season progressed, featuring just three times in all competitions after starting the New Year’s Day 5-0 defeat at Bristol City.

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Although he did open his Football League account with a well-taken finish against Coventry in October, representing his only goal in 14 appearances.

Elsewhere, Thomas Waddingham missed six months of the season through a thigh injury sustained in training in September 2025, but did return to participate in the final two matches.

Following a promising 2025 pre-season in which the Australian finished as top scorer with four goals, injury restricted him to just seven outings over the duration of an immensely frustrating personal campaign.

Jacob Brown’s struggles

Finally, the deadline day recruitment of Jacob Brown didn’t come off, with Mousinho seemingly having little faith in the Luton loanee, starting him just five times.

Overall, Brown totalled one goal in 15 appearances as the Blues attempted to bring him up to speed following a long-term injury at Kenilworth Road.

Now available on a free transfer, Pompey will not be pursuing a permanent deal for the 28-year-old, who demonstrated versatility and an excellent work-rate, yet never fitted the striker profile Mousinho needed.

Bolstering the centre-forward position this summer will be vital for Hughes & Co - not that they need reminding.

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