The names were coming thick and fast, even before the Championship season ended.
And the flow of touted Pompey targets never let up from there, until the window closed on September 1.
We’ve pulled together a list of the players linked with the Blues, a little insight into their credibility and an update on what is now happening with those men - with some wildly varying results.
17. Pelle Mattsson
Pompey were keen on the Silkeborg midfielder, but Norwich paid an eventual £3m and won the the chase for Mattsson. Shone in early Championship days, earning praise from boss Liam Manning and Canaries fans alike. | Getty Images
18. Griffin Yow
Some talk of Pompey trailing American winger who's with Belgian side Westerlo. Other options were definitely fancied over Yow, who has stayed where he is and grabbed two goals from eight league outings this term. | BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images
19. Abubakr Barry
Pompey, Leeds and Hull all linked with the destructive Gambian who's with Austria Vienna. Nothing doing, however, with Barry starting staying put and starting seven games for his team so far this season. | The News
20. Grady Diangana
Former big-money signing who went to West Brom in £18m deal. Diangana left the Hawthorns as a free agent and was linked with Pompey, talk shot down by John Mousinho. Moved to La Liga side Elche and made four appearances so far this season. | Getty Images