‘A step into the unknown’: Portsmouth chief explains extensive transfer search in pursuit of South America star
Pompey moved to sign winger Gustavo Caballero and defender Madiodio Dia on deadline day.
Rich Hughes has called Pompey’s move for Gustavo Caballero ‘a step into the unknown’ after the Blues broadened their scouting network.
But the sporting director is confident the winger will prove a hit on the south coast during the second half of the season.
It was an action-packed finale to the winter window at PO4, with the 24-year-old arriving alongside Madiodio Dia and Jacob Brown, while Tom McIntyre and Callum Lang both departed.
Caballero has penned a loan deal from Brazilian outfit Santos for the remainder of the campaign, with CEO Andy Cullen explaining the Blues do hold on option to make his switch permanent.
The South American market is not an avenue Pompey have explored under Tornante’s ownership, although Jhon Viafara and more previously arrived during the Premier League days.
Indeed, Hughes has revealed the extensive scouting search they undertook in order to unearth the attacker, who they believe can excite supporters.
Gustavo Caballero a step into the unknown for Pompey
And while the sporting director is clear the move represents a step into the unknown for the Blues, he is confident the signing will work out.
He told BBC Radio Solent: ‘Gustavo in the first instance was actually a player we did a lot of work on before his transfer in the summer.
‘We’d done a lot of work in the summer and he was a player we had targeted then he had the opportunity to move to Santos. That was one that had been on the backburner for a good few months.
‘(We found him) through a lot of data scouting, a lot of his physical metrics and then doing a lot of hard work in terms of assessing his video clips, his footage and speaking to a couple of people we’ve got on the ground in South America who are contacts of mine and Brad (Wall).
‘It’s probably a step into the unknown for this football club in this current ownership but it’s something that is going to be exciting and something we’re pleased to do.’
Scandinavian market a trusted area for Pompey
Dia rounded off Pompey’s winter spending by completing a permanent switch from Norwegian outfit Haugesund.
The Scandinavian market is an area which the Blues have utilised in recent years, with the likes of Nicolas Schmid, Luke Le Roux and Elias Sorensen all arriving.
Explaining Dia’s move, Hughes added: ‘In terms of Madiodio (Dia), we do have a scouting network in Scandinavia, it’s something we were able to lean into.
‘Brad had been out to watch the player and when it became clear that other things weren’t going to come into place for us.
‘It made sense for us to bring him in because he’s high potential, he’s incredibly athletic, incredibly powerful and I think he’s a player that fits that athletic mould of the Championship.
‘We’ve got plenty of work to do with him but whenever we’ve spoken to him and had those conversations, he seems like a player who's willing to improve his game and get better and be committed to it.
‘I know we’re excited to see him and John (Mousinho) and the coaching staff are really excited to work with him and help him improve as well.’