Kenny Jackett reveals Portsmouth recruitment position

Kenny Jackett insists Pompey are continuing to run the rule over possible transfer targets.
Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett is continuing to trail transfer targets, despite the uncertainty within football. Picture: Graham Hunt/ProSportsImages/PinPPortsmouth manager Kenny Jackett is continuing to trail transfer targets, despite the uncertainty within football. Picture: Graham Hunt/ProSportsImages/PinP
Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett is continuing to trail transfer targets, despite the uncertainty within football. Picture: Graham Hunt/ProSportsImages/PinP

As it stands, it is unclear when the current season will resume and the 2020-21 campaign will kick off.

There’s also growing belief that player wages will be driven down as clubs seek to cope financially without match-day income.

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Meanwhile, clubs will have to take stock of their financial positions before engaging in the next transfer window.

According to Jackett, no contract offers or bids had been lodged for targets before the global pandemic intervened – although there had been talks.

And, despite the uncertainty, the Blues are maintaining an eye on the transfer market.

He said: ‘Before this happened, there were no deals we had actually committed to.

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‘Had we spoken to agents? Yes. There were enquiries and calls to agents, but certainly no offers or commitments.

Phil BoardmanPhil Boardman
Phil Boardman

‘We were not in a position where we had done any deals with a club or a player.

‘Our targets are not necessarily now on the back burner, we will keep watching and keep talking to people, it’s our job to be ready as and when it does come.

‘From our point of view, all we can do is try to cover the eventualities which we can possibly see coming.

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‘Undoubtedly the landscape will be different financially and there will be a lot of caution in terms of a club signing players.

Pompey defender Christian Burgess with the Checkatrade Trophy after last season's Wembley triumphPompey defender Christian Burgess with the Checkatrade Trophy after last season's Wembley triumph
Pompey defender Christian Burgess with the Checkatrade Trophy after last season's Wembley triumph

‘All we have to do is our job, which is to make sure we are prepared.

‘We have made enquiries (for players), but so have every club. There are no commitments or offers yet, we haven’t got to that stage.

‘We are being honest with it. Players at other clubs and players out of contract can obviously see the situation – and it’s very difficult for everybody at the moment.’

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Pompey have eight players out of contract this summer – plus the expiry of four loanees presently at the club.

It raises the potential for a squad overall, irrespective of which division the Blues find themselves in next term.

And Jackett is anticipating the financial landscape to have changed once football resumes.

He added: ‘It very depends on what the landscape looks like when we come out the other side.

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‘Things will adjust, there’s no point saying they won’t, they will, things will be different financially, of course.

‘But the plan for our squad and how it’s going to look for next season very much depends on what happens when we come out of the other side of this.

‘No decisions have been made.’

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