The 13 players linked with moves to Portsmouth

With the Blues’ return to the Championship, another Pompey shift is expected at Fratton Park this summer.

In order to advance to the next level and secure their spot in the second division of English football, the League One winners will be eager to add players to their roster.Following the completion of their incredible 2023–24 campaign, John Mousinho and sporadic director Rich Hughes will also be trying to bolster their ranks with players of a higher calibre. Ten players who were not under contract were said to be leaving.

Many names have been connected to a move to Fratton Park as a result, even before the formal transfer window starts next month. In fact, as the summer wears on, the number of players who have committed to calling the south coast home at the beginning of the next season—13 to date—will undoubtedly rise.

However, who is the subject of the most recent Pompey transfer rumours? And how likely is it that they’ll actually relocate to Fratton Park? Here, we look at each instance separately and offer an analysis of each possible transfer.

From left: Antony Evans, Jadan Raymond, Alex Robertson and Bosun Lawal

1. From left: Antony Evans, Jadan Raymond, Alex Robertson and Bosun Lawal

From left: Antony Evans, Jadan Raymond, Alex Robertson and Bosun Lawal

2. Bosun Lawal – Celtic (on loan at Fleetwood)

The versatile Celtic man has twice been linked with a move to Fratton Park – once last summer and now a second time following the Blues’ promotion to the Championship. The News understands their credence in the reports, after the 20-year-old impressed during a season-long loan at Fleetwood, where he scored six goals in 46 appearances while playing both centre-half and in the centre of midfield. However, with the Blues set for a return to the Championship, their attention might have already shifted elsewhere.

This is a transfer Pompey fans would love to see come to fruition, with Lowe a player who excelled at Fratton Park earlier in his career. With his contract set to expire at Bournemouth, the winger is expected to become a free agent this summer. Pompey have been linked, with the wide areas a department they’ll have to bolster this summer. However, a reason why Swansea - who the Jamaica international featured on loan for this season - won’t pursue a permanent deal is because of the wages Lowe will probably expect. That’s likely to impact the Blues’ reported interest, too, especially when the likes of Ipswich, Norwich, Middlesbrough, Watford and Derby are also circling. Saying that, Marlon Pack found a way to make a return possible!

3. Jamal Lowe – Bournemouth (on loan at Swansea City)

Pompey supporters would be thrilled to see this trade happen because Lowe is a talented player who had success at Fratton Park in the past. The winger’s deal with Bournemouth is scheduled to end this summer, and it is anticipated that he will become a free agent. Pompey has been associated with a department that they will need to strengthen this summer. The salaries Lowe would likely demand, though, are one reason Swansea—where the Jamaican international played on loan this season—won’t pursue a long-term agreement. That will probably have an effect on the Blues’ purported interest as well, particularly in light of the attention being shown by teams like Ipswich, Norwich, Middlesbrough, Watford, and Derby. Having said that, Marlon Pack managed to arrange for a comeback!

The young Crystal Palace winger is a player Pompey hold in high regard and someone they would love to land ahead of their Championship return. They’ve registered an interest in a player who excelled on loan at Charlton in 2022-23. Saying that, they’re not holding out much hope, with the Blues knowing there’ll be a lot of interest in the 21-year-old if Palace allow him to leave, either on loan or on a permanent deal. If there are to be any developments, then it might be at the tail end of the transfer window. The winger has made just eight appearances for Palace this season, but has been on the bench for their past two Premier League games,

4. Jesurun Rak-Sakyi – Crystal Palace

Pompey have great esteem for the talented Crystal Palace winger, and they would love to sign him before they return to the Championship. A player who performed exceptionally well while on loan at Charlton in 2022–2023 has caught their attention. Despite this, the Blues aren’t giving up much hope because they are aware that, should Palace permit the 21-year-old to depart on loan or permanently, there will be significant interest in him. If anything is going to happen, it might happen towards the end of the transfer window. The winger has only made eight appearances for Palace so far this season, and in their last two Premier League games, he was benched.

Karamoko Dembele has been earmarked as the kind of attacking talent to spearhead Pompey’s return to the Championship. The Blackpool loanee is being viewed as the type of exciting option to bolster the Blues in attacking areas, which is set to face significant surgery this summer. The News understands head coach John Mousinho is an admirer of the 21-year-old, who made a big impact on League One this season - scoring eight goals and registering 13 goals in 39 games. There’ll be significant interest in the Brest player, though, if he’s again allowed to leave the high-flying Ligue 1 outfit this summer.

5. Karamoko Dembele – Brest (On loan at Blackpool)

It has been anticipated that Karamoko Dembele, an attacking player, will lead Pompey back to the Championship. The Blackpool loanee is thought to be an exciting addition to the Blues’ attacking lineup, which will likely require major surgery this summer. The News has learned that the 21-year-old, who scored eight goals and registered 13 goals in 39 games this season, is admired by head coach John Mousinho. If Brest is permitted to leave the elite Ligue 1 team once more this summer, there will be a lot of interest in him.

Pompey would dearly love to bring the classy midfield operator back for a second loan spell. The 20-year-old made a huge impression at Fratton Park over the first half of the season, but unfortunately missed out on the title run-in following a hamstring injury. The Blues are keen to speak to Man City and Robertson about their intentions, with Robertson entering the final year of his Etihad Stadium contract. However, the player’s goodbye message on X, formerly Twitter, this week suggests Pompey might have seen the last of the Aussie international.

6. Alex Robertson – Manchester City (on loan at Pompey)

Pompey would be thrilled to have the sophisticated midfield player return for a second loan stint. The 20-year-old had a fantastic first half of the season at Fratton Park, but a hamstring injury kept him out of the championship run-in. Given that Robertson is approaching the end of his contract at Etihad Stadium, the Blues are eager to discuss their plans with Man City and Robertson. But based on the player’s farewell statement posted this week on X, formerly Twitter, Pompey may have seen the last of the Australian international.

Pompey are trailing the Bristol Rovers goalscoring midfielder as they look to kick their Championship plans into gear. The Blues know they need to add forward-thinking quality to their squad - and Evans fits the bill after an outstanding campaign with their League One rivals. The former Everton trainee delivered 19 goal contributions in the shape of 10 goals and nine assists, despite his side finishing in the bottom half of the table. It’s been reported, though, that Rovers are keen to keep hold of the player and have offered him a new contract to remain at the Gas.

7. Antony Evans – Bristol Rovers

As Pompey try to get their Championship aspirations going, they are behind the goal-scoring midfielder for Bristol Rovers. After an incredible season with their League One rivals, Evans matches the Blues’ need for a forward-thinking addition to their squad. Even though his team finished in the bottom part of the table, the former Everton youngster contributed 19 goals in the form of 10 goals and 9 assists. However, it’s been said that Rovers want to hang onto the player and have extended an offer for him to stay at the Gas.

8. Tino Anjorin – Chelsea (on loan at Pompey)

Reuniting Tino Anjorin at Fratton Park is something that Pompey and head coach John Mousinho are eager to do. According to The News, the Blues are prepared to investigate the prospect of giving the Chelsea midfielder a second season-long loan. In a career plagued by injuries thus far, Anjorin overcame yet another significant setback to produce a good campaign finale. Pompey would be eager to safeguard themselves in case the 22-year-old has another problem. With his current contract expiring in the summer of 2020, a new agreement would probably see the Chelsea academy graduate receive a share of his weekly salary from the Blues. Anjorin has also expressed his wish to return Pompey’s loyalty this season.

9. Marc Leonard – Brighton (on loan at Northampton)

Over the previous few months, Pompey has been continuously connected to the 22-year-old midfielder. The News is aware that the Blues are unsure if the Scot is ready to advance to the Championship at this point in his career. After Pompey won the League One title, a move seems less plausible. The young midfield player from Brighton, however, is probably not going to play for the Cobblers the next season.

10. Michael Craig – Reading

This link appeared this week, with the Blues reportedly plotting a summer raid for Reading’s Scotland under-21 international. After 36 appearances for the Royals this season, the midfielder’s stock is clearly on the rise. Yet, it’s doubtful he continue that trajectory at Fratton Park.

Pompey have been linked with a move for the 26-year-old Exeter midfielder, who has just completed a decent season at St James Park. Bolton and Championship outfit Preston North End have also been touted with interest in the former Brentford man, who made 41 appearances for the Grecians this term. But The News understands the Exeter ace is not someone they have in their sights ahead of a busy summer of transfer activity.

11. Reece Cole – Exeter

The 26-year-old Exeter midfielder, who recently had a respectable season at St. James Park, has been linked to Pompey. Preston North End of the Championship and Bolton have also been mentioned as having interest in the former Brentford player, who has made 41 appearances for the Grecians this season. Ahead of a big summer of transfer activity, The News understands that they are not targeting the Exeter ace.

12. Chris Conn-Clarke – Altrincham

It has been reported that Chris Conn-Clarke, a Northern Ireland under-21 international, is being considered by Pompey after he scored 23 goals for National League Altrincham this season. If this is accurate, Ipswich, Mansfield, and Peterborough will compete with the Blues for the forward, who is anticipated to depart the Robins this summer. The player’s profile fits in well with the Pompey players that Rich Hughes has been bringing in. But with the Blues’ return to the Championship, the calibre of players fitting that description has only increased.

Many names have been connected to a move to Fratton Park as a result, even before the formal transfer window starts next month. In fact, as of right now, 13 players have been linked to relocating to the south coast starting in 2019

13. Jadan Raymond – Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace’s 20-year-old Jadan Raymond remains of interest to Pompey, after a move to land the promosing winger in January collapsed on deadline day.

After a memorable Fratton Park loan that saw the Norwich man bag eight goals and register 10 league assists, the Blues would love another season with Kamara on their books. Promotion back to the Championship gives them a better chance of landing the talented forward on another season-long loan. A return looks unlikely - but if Norwich win promotion back to the Premier League via the play-offs, expect an enquiry to be made,

14. Abu Kamara – Norwich (on loan at Pompey)

The Norwich man scored eight goals and registered ten league assists during a fantastic loan at Fratton Park, and the Blues would love to have Kamara back for another season. They have a stronger chance of securing the gifted forward on another season-long loan if they get promoted back to the Championship. Although a return seems improbable, expect an inquiry to be conducted if Norwich wins promotion back to the Premier League through the play-offs.

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