Portsmouth ARE interested in Torino midfielder Michel Ndary Adopo - but new Brexit rules threaten deal

Pompey’s pursuit of Torino midfielder Michel Ndary Adopo could be scuppered by newly-introduced Brexit laws.
Torino midfielder Ndary Michel Adopo is on Pompey's radar.  Picture: Marco Luzzani/Getty Images for Lega Serie ATorino midfielder Ndary Michel Adopo is on Pompey's radar.  Picture: Marco Luzzani/Getty Images for Lega Serie A
Torino midfielder Ndary Michel Adopo is on Pompey's radar. Picture: Marco Luzzani/Getty Images for Lega Serie A

The News understands contact has been made with the Serie A side regarding a loan move for the 20-year-old midfielder.

The Blues are keen to add the former French under-18 international to their ranks for the remainder of the season with the view to signing him permanently in the summer.

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Given his age, Adopo would not count towards the 22-man squad limit currently in operation in League One.

Meanwhile, his presence would give Kenny Jackett ample time to assess him at close quarters before deciding whether to make his stay a long-term project.

It’s a move Pompey are keen to complete before the transfer window closes on February 1.

But there’s a real possibility all the groundwork they’ve so far carried out to make Fratton Park Adopo’s new home could be vain.

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Britain’s exit from the European Union on January 1 means English clubs have new regulations they must adhere to when it comes to recruiting players from abroad.

Pompey successfully brought in Rasmus Nicolaisen on loan from Denmark Superliga side FC FC Midtjylland in September.

However, players like Adopo, who is a French citizen, will now need a visa to work and live in the UK in the same way as those from elsewhere in the world.

That means the Blues & Co. can no longer rely on EU free labour movement rules.

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Rather, all new arrivals will need to obtain a governing body endorsement (GBE) – a points-based qualification which has been agrred upon by the FA, the EFL and Premier League – and given Home Office approval.

A score of 15 is needed for a transfer to be sanctioned, with points awarded on criteria including international caps and the FIFA ranking of the player’s country.

The strength of the league from which the player is arriving and how many club appearances they have made could also be considered,

Adopo hasn’t played for Serie A side Torino is this season, with the 20-year-old only making two substitute appearances since joining the club from US Torcy in January 2020.

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If a player scores between 10-14 points, then an exceptions panel will make a ruling.

If Pompey are successful in their attempts to land Adopo, he will be their fourth signing this month, following the arrivals of Harvey White, Charlie Daniels and George Byers.

At present, Byers and White are competing with Tom Naylor, Andy Cannon and Ben Close for two central-midfield positions.

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