Incredibly, a further 32 others were linked with a Fratton Park switch, who, ultimately, didn’t make the move to PO4.
We’ll never know if their arrivals might have changed the course of last season, with the Blues – under new head coach John Mousinho – eventually finishing eighth.
Nevertheless, it’s still interesting to see how each of these players’ seasons panned out and whether Pompey missed a trick.
Here’s what we discovered.
21. Liam Cullen
Position: Forward. Did he go elsewhere? Remained at Swansea. Season review: Made 32 appearances for the Swans, scoring nine goals. Photo: Dan Istitene
22. James Collins
Position: Striker. Did he go elsewhere? Left Cardiff and joined Derby for an undisclosed fee. Season review: 11 goals in 42 league appearances as the Rams just missed out on the play-offs. Photo: Gareth Copley
23. George Hirst
Position: Striker. Did he go elsewhere? Went to Blackburn on loan, before Leicester allowed him to move to Ipswich in January. Season review: No goals in nine appearances for Rovers. Scored six times in 21 appearances for the Tractor Boys as they won promotion back to the Championship. Photo: Paul Thompson
24. Hayden Carter
Position: Defender. Did he go elsewhere? Remained at Blackburn. Season review: Established himself in the Rovers first team, playing 37 games in all competitions. Photo: Paul Thompson