Excited Pompey fans are having to wait patiently for the summer transfer window to open.
More than six weeks have passed since the League One title was secured against Barnsley last month. And while plenty has happened at Fratton Park since those wonderful celebratory scenes, no new signings have arrived to bolster the feel-good factor that has been palpable around PO4 ever since confirmation of the Blues’ new Championship status.
Pompey have stressed no new signings will be announced until after the transfer window opens officially on Friday June 14. That’s still two weeks away, which will seem like forever, especially when a number of clubs have begun announcing new arrivals ahead of the official opening for business.
That, however, gives the Blues plenty of time to quietly go about their business - and to spring a surprise or two come next month. But what are the key transfer issues going into this transfer window? What’s the priorities? What needs to be done and what’s head coach John Mousinho said about the key issues at the centre of the Blues’ transfer plans this summer?
Since the 2023-24 season came to the close, The News has quizzed the Pompey boss on a whole range of issues that will shape the course of this window. Here’s his responses to 20 key factors that will be at play over the coming months.
9. Connor Ogilvie
Mousinho said: ‘Connor is one of those that ticks both boxes of the criteria we look at - he deserves a new contract and we think he can make the step up to the next level. He has been brilliant since I came into the building, starting 43 league games the previous season. Although there haven’t been as many this year, his record was outstanding and not lost on us. We’re not superstitious, but certainly in terms of the impact he’s had, not having lost a game in 407 days was absolutely outstanding. Connor has been very, very solid. He’s offering a lot more going forward as a left-back at this level and, now we’re heading to the next level, he also offers us a huge amount. There’s no way we would have offered him a deal if we didn’t think he could play in the Championship. We definitely believe he can make the step up as a left-back.’ | National World
10. Working within the club's means
Mousinho said: ‘The club are never going to bring a player to me that is going to blow the budget. I have sometimes gone to the club with a player and asked if it is a realistic one. Sometimes it’s a yes and sometimes it’s a no. We will know that, because Rich has his finger on the pulse in terms of how much these players want. Sometimes the wages are astronomical and I get told: “Great player, but forget about that one - that’s not one for us”. I think it works really well for us. So I have rough ideas, but I don’t have to dig into the detail of it.’ | National World
11. Marlon Pack (and more on Ogilvie)
Mousinho said: ‘From the discussions I’ve had with him and Connor, it sounds like both players are excited about signing for the football club. You can get situations where you offer players contracts and they aren’t hugely excited about it, and they have other options elsewhere. With these two I don’t think we’re going to have that this year.' | Getty Images
12. Abu Kamara return
Mousinho said: '‘Who knows what will happen with Abu? I’m sure that will be another conversation we have with Andrew Hughes (Norwich loan manager) and Norwich come the summer, then we’ll see how it goes from there. That’s out of our hands and we’ll just have to see what happens.’ | National World