Christian Burgess desperate for Portsmouth play-off green light against Oxford ahead of Fratton farewell

The central defender has been lined up for a summer move to Belgium club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise on a three-year deal with an option.

At the age of 28, it offers security for Burgess, who has been concerned over the length of contract Pompey are prepared to table to keep him at Fratton Park.

Ahead of his anticipated move to the second-tier club, The News understands the former Peterborough player is desperate to see out the Blues’ play-off bid.

That will consist of agreeing to a one-month playing extension to his existing Pompey contract which expires on June 30 – which he is prepared to do.

Burgess has relayed his wishes to Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, who are owned by Brighton chairman Tony Bloom.

However, the Belgian club want assurances.

There remain concerns that Burgess could collect injury should he remain at Pompey for up to three more matches, thereby potential impacting availability to his new employers.

As a consequence, Pompey will be required to take sizeable insurance out on the defender for the prospect of an extended Fratton Park stay.

Negotiations are continuing between the clubs ahead of this evening’s deadline to register, with the Blues still hopeful an agreement can be reached.

They are faced with similar problems for Burgess’ central-defensive partner Sean Raggett.

Raggett’s loan deal expires at the end of this month, yet there are complications over his arrangement with parent club Norwich.

He is out of contract with the Premier League side after June 30, yet they retain a 12-month option.

Norwich are believed to be using that scenario as leverage to persuade the Blues to recruit Raggett on a permanent basis.

Pompey have until midnight tonight to temporarily extend the deals of those players whose contracts expire on June 30.

The others include Brett Pitman, Lee Brown, Oli Hawkins and Brandon Haunstrup.

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