'The Irish Phil Foden. A great football player' - What's been said about Brighton-owned and Portsmouth-linked midfielder Andrew Moran

The January transfer window is officially open for business, with Pompey fans waiting patiently for the Blues to show their hand.

Head coach John Mousinho has already revealed he’d like up to six new arrivals to enhance his side’s chances of retaining their Championship status, with a centre forward, a right-winger, a left-back and central mdfielders likely to be on his wanted list this month.

At present, Brighton midfielder Andrew Moran is the only named being linked with a move to Fratton Park, with the BBC’s Chris Wise reporting on Thursday that the Blues had made enquiries for the 22-year-old full Republic of Ireland international who has recently returned from a loan spell at MLS side LAFC.

The one-time Bray Wanderers midfielder made 10 appearances while in the States, registering two goal contributions.

However, for those fans wanting Pompey to recruit Championship-ready players for the here and now, then Moran boasts that too having racked up 70 appearances on loan for both Blackburn and Stoke respectively over the past two seasons.

Indeed, he scored Stoke’s sixth and final goal when the Blues were humiliated at the bet365.com Stadium in October 2024.

When asked about the midfielder following Pompey’s defeat to Bristol City, Mousinho responded: ‘No comment on that as he’s a player that plays for another club.’

Yet we’ve found plenty of football people who have been happy to speak about a player rated at more than 3m euroes on flashscore.co.uk.

Here’s what we’ve discovered about the midfielder linked with a January move to PO4.

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler (2025)

‘Andrew is a player I really like, because I think he has an unbelievable attitude.

‘He has a really good attitude inside of him. He's a great football player and I hope that he continues in this shape.’

Former Brighton youth coach Mark Beard (2022)

‘Andy Moran and Evan Ferguson are probably the best I have worked with. These two could be world-class.

‘Andy Moran is just a joy to watch. He brings a smile to your face when you watch him train every day, he's a great kid. He nutmegs people for fun, everyone loves him.

‘He had loads of adversity in his first year as his grandad and nan died. One was two days before the Premier League Cup final.

‘We asked him if he would like to go home but he didn't and then he scored that unbelievable goal, a little (Lionel) Messi run. It just shows you his character and what a lovely boy he is.

‘I call him the Irish Phil Foden. He's not had many opportunities (in the first team) this year but hopefully in the next couple of years he gets that opportunity.

‘He can play 10, 9, 7, 11. He just gets on the ball and just glides with it.

‘His best attribute is he sees passes nobody else sees. James Baxter, who was our in possession coach, used to say, “Pass, pass, switch it, do this, do that,' but he got to a point after about two months when he didn't tell him to do anything as he will see something that you don't.

‘He will be running with it and an easy pass will be there but he will do that threaded ball and then go on to score. He's just got that unbelievable awareness and vision.’

Former Blackburn Rovers boos John Dahl Tomasson (2023)

‘(Moran is) a great player, first of all. He scores goals, he can give assists.

‘He's intelligent; his flair on the ball is extremely good, to carry the ball, he's good to play one or two touches. He works hard for the team.

‘A young boy, young man, who is also very driven. He wants to become better; he is very ambitious. So we are very pleased with Andy.’

Stoke City Sporting Director Jonathan Walters (2024)

‘Andrew is a young player with a bright future high up in the game, and someone we believe is ready to make an impact in the Championship this season.

‘He is the kind of player that will get our supporters off their seats – an intelligent, creative player with an eye for goal and his work-rate is phenomenal.

‘He’s highly rated by Brighton and the experience he gained from his first loan in the Championship last season will stand him in good stead to hit the ground running this time around.

‘I’m delighted to bring him in and welcome him to the Stoke City family.’

Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson (2025)

‘We know his qualities, we see him as a part of the squad in the future.

‘He is still young but he has qualities to play more position than one.

‘He made a good impression with the minutes he played against England when he came in, in a tough game, he really impressed us.’

Republic of Ireland under-21 boss Jim Crawford (2024)

For your next Pompey read: The 8 players Portsmouth could axe in order to facilitate January transfer window overhaul of squad