Rich Hughes' Portsmouth transfer admission over World Cup winger Gustavo Caballero
The winger made 12 appearances for the Blues, scoring once, after joining from Santos on transfer deadline day
Pompey are not targeting a Fratton Park return for Gustavo Caballero.
Sporting director Rich Hughes has revealed the Blues have decided against pursuing another deal for the Paraguayan international following his south-coast stint.
Arriving from Santos in February, Pompey held an exclusive option to make the winger’s loan move permanent at the end of last season for a pre-determined transfer fee.
However, they subsequently opted against activating that clause after one goal in 12 appearances, including missing the final five matches through injury.
And, speaking from their training camp in Ireland, Hughes admitted the Blues have no plans to bring Caballero back - either on loan or permanently.
‘It’s not one we are actively pursuing’
When asked whether the club are pursuing Caballero, Hughes told The News: ‘Not per se at the minute, no.
‘Gus did well for us, he had an impact, it’s really nice to see him do well at the World Cup, but it’s not one we are actively pursuing.
‘He had an impact, there was always this natural point around finding value in the market. He then had that injury at the back end of the season.
‘As much as he had an impact for us, we didn’t see that level to make us want to really pursue that deal at that moment. That’s not to say that doesn’t come back around, but the initial feeling at the minute is not to pursue it.’
Deadline-day signing
Caballero arrived on transfer deadline day in February along with Jacob Brown and Madiodio Dia to bolster Pompey’s attacking options.
The winger scored in his third Blues outing with a superb finish in an eye-catching performance in the 3-1 victory at Millwall which excited the Fratton faithful.
He continued to be a regular in Mousinho’s starting XI, impressing with his work-rate, commitment and pace, primarily down the right flank, as the 24-year-old adjusted relatively quickly to English football.
However a groin injury sustained during the epic win at Middlesbrough effectively ended Caballero’s Fratton Park career.
Forced off in the second half of that 1-0 victory in April, the problem sidelined him for the remaining five matches of the campaign as Mousinho’s men secured Championship survival.
Having started nine of the previous 11 fixtures, it was an unfortunate end for Caballero, albeit his absence signalling a return for Adrian Segecic to the right wing, which produced impressive results.
Two World Cup appearances
Regardless, the attacker earned his maiden Paraguay cap during his time at Fratton Park and was subsequently selected for this summer’s World Cup finals squad.
He ended up featuring twice in the tournament, despite at one stage suffering an adductor injury, and came off the bench in the 61st minute of their recent elimination at the hands of France.
However, Pompey are now looking elsewhere to strengthen their wing options, already adding Dundalk’s Eoin Kenny to their ranks.
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