‘Been a bit of a shift’: Fresh Portsmouth verdict over Callum Lang amid Preston North End interest

Pompey would entertain a move for Callum Lang if their valuation is met this month.

That’s the verdict of The News’ Blues reporter Jordan Cross, who believes there has been a shift in Pompey’s stance over the forward’s future compared to the summer.

Preston North End are said to have reignited their interest in the 27-year-old, with reports suggesting the Lilywhites have had a £1.5m bid knocked back by John Mousinho’s men.

Lang, of course, is currently sidelined due to a hamstring issue, with respective injuries limiting him to just eight appearances to date.

The forward is also entering the final six months of his current Fratton Park terms, although the Blues do have an extra 12-month option effectively keeping him until 2027.

Given the January 2024 arrival’s current situation, Cross believes Pompey would now be more inclined to entertain a sale if their valuation is met.

But he was adamant the Blues would have to given enough time to find a replacement before the February 2 deadline.

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Fresh Pompey verdict over Callum Lang’s future

Speaking on the latest episode of Pompey Talk, Cross said: ‘In the summer, it’s known that there was interest. From Pompey’s end I don’t think that materialised, they were adamant that didn’t materialise into an official bid.

‘John Mousinho saying as of his press conference saying it’s exactly the same now. Nowt official.

‘We know how these things work, though, and Preston are coming back for Callum Lang, that’s for sure. They’re on the case with that, with the figure of £1.5m at the moment.

‘Really insightful John Mousinho quotes, really fascinating and quite revealing I thought. He said there’s absolutely no pressure to sell from Pompey’s point of view but it’s a discussion to have if they had a valuation met, which is again quite revealing.

‘I get the feeling that in the summer Pompey would not have got rid of Callum Lang, not a chance, and I just get the feeling there’s been a bit of a shift now for a number of different factors.

‘I just get the feeling as I’ve just written a transfer state-of-play, I just think if Preston were to hit the valuation, were to hit that £2m for Callum Lang I just think it happens now, I’ve got a feeling it would happen.

‘I’m leaning towards that happening if they can get there. Caveat with getting to that price in enough time with Pompey to get a replacement as well, not too late in the day for Pompey to be able to react.

‘Callum Lang has started seven games this season, he’s missed two thirds of the games and if you throw in since February when he had his injury and the trio of games in the last 11 months, he’s started 10 games. He’s played 11 games in 11 months.

‘I think it’s quite revealing from supporters because there was real panic in the summer and again the reaction, I just think there’s been more of a shift to ‘okay if they hit that valuation we should trade now and do that deal’, which is a shift from supporters.

‘You’ve got to take the player’s feelings into account as well. There’s obviously the talk but there’s nothing official, nothing been said by Pompey about this, John Mousinho says he hasn’t spoken directly to Callum about his situation and he’s got a good relationship with Callum and if he wants to leave then Callum will come and have a chat to him.

‘He’s going to become a father this year and he’s a Scouse lad and there’s a lot of noise about people around Callum wanting to get back up the country. We’ll see about the details about that, we’ll see.

‘But you’ve got take his feelings into account, If a player wants to get closer - Preston’s only an hour away from Liverpool.

‘Preston are going for promotion, they’re a play-off chasing side and Pompey are in a relegation battle.

‘There’s a lot to make sense and I think on all sides it’s got more pointed towards it happening than not happening. It could go either way still.

‘It’s a bit like (Josh) Murphy, I think the Murphy talk came too late in the day for Pompey to react last summer and Pompey are genuinely under no pressure to sell.’

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