Skipper’s message as Portsmouth close in on multi-million pound midfielder deal and prepare to splash transfer cash
Pompey are closing in on some big transfer deals this summer, including Estonia international Rocco Shein. Skipper Marlon Pack shares his view and that of the Blues dressing room to what’s about to unfold.
Marlon Pack welcomed Pompey hiking their transfer spending as they close in on eye-catching summer business.
And the Blues skipper promised he’s excited by potentially being replaced by incoming Estonia international midfielder Rocco Shein next season.
Anticipation is high over a significantly increased transfer kitty being made available to the Fratton football operation this summer.
Pompey are set to part with fees not seen since their days in the Premier League, with a €6m deal lined up for UD Almeria striker Marko Milovanović.
Meanwhile, an eye-catching agreement is in place with Fredrikstad FK to bring in Shein in a multi-million pound move.
The 22-year-old’s arrival could potentially hurt Pack’s playing time moving forward in the Championship, but the Buckland boy is adamant he has no issue with that amid money being spent on the squad to raise standards.
Pack said: ‘If our aspiration is to finish higher and be more competitive then maybe it’s what’s needed.
‘Those figures haven’t been spent here - and there’s reasons for that. We’ve needed to improve the training ground and stadium.
‘Also us as a group internally need to be better and drive standards. That will go towards us being a better side, but first and foremost it’s on the pitch - so it’s exciting.
‘It’s great. There’s an optimism. There’s things which need to fall into place and things we can’t control, but there’s a real desire and people, internally and externally are becoming aligned to our capabilities.
‘Hopefully with a more competitive squad we can become a bit more consistent in the Championship.’
Pompey have recruited two players so far this summer in free agent Odin Bailey and Northern Ireland under-21 international Eoin Kenny.
The level of spending is certainly poised to go up in terms of fees moving forward, with former loanee Abu Kamara of ongoing interest.
The spate of deals being lined for relatively sizable fees is generating undoubted fan enthusiasm - and Pack insisted that’s being echoed in the Pompey dressing room.
He said: ‘The players are like the fanbase. There’s excitement, an anticipation and a want.
‘When you see these rumours and links it could be the last final bit to get everyone really clicking into gear.
‘Places will be under threat and people will know they need to be on it - it’s really exciting.’