Marko Milovanovic and Rocco Shein are two players lined up to join Pompey this summer, but fans are wanting to know what’s the hold-up?

It’s a question many Pompey fans have been understandably asking this week as they seek information on two transfers that have captured their imagination this summer.

Exciting deals for FK Fredrikstad midfielder Rocco Shein and UD Almeria striker Marko Milovanic for a combined €8m+ fee are so far advanced that the Fratton faithful just want official confirmation from the club.

But as the transfer window comes to the end of its fourth week, fans remain in limbo, curious to what the hold-ups could be.

As far as The News understands, nothing points to a collapse of either move. There is no need to panic.

But recognising the growing level of impatience among supporters, the same question that has been occupying the minds of many was put to our in-the-know Pompey writer Jordan Cross, namely: what is taking the Blues so long to get these deals across the line?

Reassuringly, he reiterated the ‘don’t panic’ standpoint, stating there are a number of factors that can explain the delay.

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‘Everything’s in place’

Speaking in the latest episode of Pompey Talk, which is available to watch now on Youtube, Cross said numerous elements were at play.

He stated: ‘It's been the big question of the week from Pompey supporters, and I understand that.

‘Even my colleagues out in Norway are kind of a bit perplexed by that. (They’re saying) hold on, this is done, why isn't it being confirmed? And I would say there's a number of different reasons, factors.

‘Some of them are just kind of logistical and just about circumstances, really.

‘First and foremost, the international deals are harder to do, there's more people involved, there's more agents involved, there's more hoops to jump through. There's the logistics of getting a player over and in situ.

‘Also, with international deals, you're going to need visas, there's the work permit situation. And although it probably can be announced, it's normally subject to international clearance as well.

‘I think back to Luke Le Roux and Mark Kosznovszki when they came over, they then had to sit tight for a bit before they could actually get involved. So there's all of that in the mix.

‘There's then just the kind of simple logistics of Pompey being in Ireland at the moment.

‘When you announce a player, there's a fair fanfare to it these days in the modern era in terms of the announcement, the interviews, the way it's announced.

‘The Pompey media team, or the people who do that side of things, are out in Ireland at the moment, so they wouldn't be here to conduct those bits and pieces and get it done.

‘We know they (Rocco and Milovanovic) aren't linking up in Ireland with the squad, and now we get to the stage of the week where it wouldn't have been worth it anyway, because they're going to be coming back tomorrow (Saturday).

‘So there's that side of it, and to quote Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: “don't panic!”

‘I think everything's in place. I've certainly no information on my side to suggest any problems whatsoever. It's just a case of the logistics and it being announced.

‘Also, while Pompey are very ambitious (with these transfers), they're also conservative with the deals. They want to get everything right and in place. They've picked up quite a reputation for wanting every last detail to be spot on before they announce these deals. And if that's the case, then I understand it.

‘Just one other factor. I guess Pompey are a bit nervous about these sorts of things as well because they've worked hard on deals in the last window and in this one (and not got the rewards).

‘Luke Graham being the most recent, where they've been burnt.

‘They've put a lot of work in, they've got the deal agreed with Luke Graham, they've got the fee in place, they've got the personal terms in place, and then only to be beaten by Stoke. So I guess there's that little bit of hesitancy as well.

‘Pompey aren't keen to come out there and have the big fanfare on their shoulders until literally they're in the building and done, and I certainly can understand why they would be that cautious.’

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