Doubts grow over Alfie Stanley's Fratton future as Portsmouth await contract response

The News understoods there are growing doubts whether the striker will sign the new deal tabled to him at the season’s end.

Stanley was a substitute in six of the Blues’ last eight matches, although never used by Danny Cowley.

There was also confusion over his future, having initially been informed Pompey would not be retaining him.

However, a change of heart saw the former Mayfield School pupil told there would now be an offer – which arrived last week.

According to Cowley, the Blues are awaiting a response from Stanley, who was prolific at youth-team level before becoming a third-year scholar.

Pompey want to send the teenager out on loan next season into non-league football to boost his development.

Yet it is understood doubts within the club are increasing over whether he will accept the contract offered.

Nonetheless, Cowley is remaining hopeful he can tie Stanley to the club for longer.

He told The News: ‘We have worked really hard to try to find a pathway for Alfie.

‘It’s hard for young players, there has been a pandemic, there hasn’t been as much football outside the Football League.

‘We have offered Alfie a contract and he is considering it.

‘He’s desperate to play football, he needs to play football, and we’d like to send him out on loan.

‘Alfie has been really frustrated this year because he’s had no playing pathway. I can understand that, he needs to go and play.’

By offering a new deal to the North End youngster, the Blues are entitled to compensation should he elect to move on.

Stanley spent time on loan at Bognor last season, making nine appearances and scoring twice, before returning to Fratton Park in October.

The Blues have also moved to retain Haji Mnoga, activating an option to extend his deal for a further 12 months.

However, there has been an overhaul of their young talent, releasing Harry Anderson, Charlie Bell, Tom Bruce, Harry Kavanagh, Leon Pitman, Harvey Rew, Gerard Storey and Eoin Teggart.

In addition, second-year scholars Harrison Brook and Seok Jae Lee have turned down extensions and will leave.

They have recently trialled at other clubs in the hope of fixing up a new footballing home.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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