'We don't want to lie': Portsmouth boss pinpoints how many players must leave Fratton Park this summer
The Blues presently have 29 first-team players on their books and are desperate to reduce those numbers
John Mousinho is targeting off-loading six members of first-team squad this summer.
And he admits Pompey have already received interest in ‘quite a few’ of them as they seek to create space for newcomers.
The Blues presently have 29 contracted players, of which four are regarded as under-21 players in terms of classification for Football League 25-man squad registration.
Mousinho has already admitted he is looking to offload Jacob Farrell and Ibane Bowat during the transfer window, with their playing opportunities limited at Fratton Park.
However, he is well aware others also must depart, potentially up to four more, as he evolves a team which is now heading into a third successive Championship campaign.
And with Odin Bailey, Rocco Shein and Marko Milovanovic in their sights as transfer additions, moving on existing players is essential.
‘We have constant conversations, being really honest with players’
Mousinho told The News: ‘We are under no illusions that we need to move players on, that’s absolutely part of it.
‘We had these conversations at the back end of last season. Off the top of my head I don’t know how many could leave, but we will probably end up with maybe six altogether, something like that.
‘We have constant conversations, being really honest with players. What we don’t want is to lie to any players and keep them around for the sake of playing in pre-season games and fulfilling fixtures.
‘This helps them move elsewhere.’
Bowat and Farrell available for transfer
Certainly the decision to move on Farrell has long been anticipated, having featured just three times in two seasons since arriving in July 2024.
The Australian is still recovering from his latest injury set-back, a groin issue collected in May while on loan at Western Sydney Warriors, and he is continuing to rehab with the Blues.
While some fans have called for the ex-Fulham man to stay, Pompey are oversubscribed for centre-halves and Mousinho urgently needs to trim their numbers.
In addition, after two years on the south coast, Bowat himself will be keen for regular first-team football, especially as he turns 24 in September.
Meanwhile, Colby Bishop is reportingly interesting Sheffield Wednesday, although Mousinho has made it clear that the popular striker still has a ‘big future’ at Fratton Park.
The Blues head off for their pre-season training camp on Sunday, with Mousinho ‘hopeful’ there may be a couple of new faces present.
It could also be the case that some existing squad members will not be present as they finalise potential moves elsewhere.
‘There is interest in quite a few of them’
Mousinho added: ‘In terms of players leaving, everything is quite slow, I think that is a reflection of the market as a whole.
‘But there is interest in quite a few of them, although nothing is inevitable.’