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.
17. Early signings
Mousinho said: ''One of the big things we achieved that last year was by the time we went away in the second week of pre-season, we had 10 of those 14 bodies through the door. It helped. Sometimes you can do that, sometimes you can’t. We’re not sure how that is going to look this year, but we will try to get our business done as early as possible. Sometimes it’s possible, sometimes it’s not.’ | National World
18. The need to tie down key assets
Mousinho said: 'Obviously for the players we want to keep at the club long term it is important. It protects the football club, because as you go up the levels the financial clout of other clubs in terms of what they can do to prise players away in their last years becomes even more relevant.' | Getty Images
19. Potentially poaching players from Peterborough
Mousinho said: 'I’d be very, very surprised if Championship sides don’t come in poaching for some of the players they have on their books, because I think they have a side full of Championship quality. So I think it will be a really interesting summer. Fair play to Peterborough, whenever this happens to them they always manage to find a few gems even from non league. I’m sure Barry Fry has a few up his sleeve ready to go for next year! It’s going to be really interesting season for them.’ | Getty Images
20. Alex Robertson return
Mousinho said: 'Robbo will have a lot of options, but he knows what everything is about here. I don’t know what Manchester City’s plans for him are, but they own the player and are the parent club. We’ve got to go through that channel first, but from our relationship with Robbo and the fact he’s been back in the building over the past couple of weeks speaks volumes about him. It speaks volumes about the fact that he’s enjoyed his time here. We’ve spoken to him and said if there’s a possibility at some point we can bring him back to the football club, we’d love to make it happen.’ | National World