Why Portsmouth boss John Mousinho feels 'explosive' Luton forward Millenic Alli is a 'very positive' move by Blues
Pompey have made their first signing of the January transfer window
John Mousinho admitted Millenic Alli is a player Pompey have admired ‘for a while’ as the Blues completed their first bit of January transfer window business.
The Fratton Park head coach added the forward’s arrival on loan from League One Luton Town was a really positive move for the club in their quest to retain their Championship status for another season.
Pompey fans have been waiting patiently for the Blues to show their hand in the transfer market. This week was considered crucial on that front, with a hugely-important game against bottom-placed Sheffield Wednesday their next test.
Recent injuries to forwards Franco Umeh and Harvey Blair have heightened the need for reinforcements, with Mousinho initially saying up to six new signings would be targetted this month.
Now Pompey have delivered the first of hopefully many reinforcements they have earmarked. And the the Blues is delighted Alli is the one they’ve got across the line first.
Alli - A shining light of a player
The forward, who can play either centrally or out wide, arrives after featuring 16 times for the Hatters this season.
He’s scored once in that period, with a further four Kenilworth Road goals coming in the second half of the 2024-25 campaign, following a reported £1.5m move from Exeter City last January.
That’s were the Blues first took notice of the Irishman, who was previously at non-league Halifax. Twelve goals in all competitions for the Grecians at the beginning of last term prompted the Hatters to splash the cash.
And while the 25-year-old had fallen out of favour at Luton under new Hatters boss Jack Wilshere, Mousinho is happy to have him on his side for what the rest of this term has in store for the Blues.
Welcoming Alli to the club, the boss said: ‘He’s someone that we’ve admired for a while and we’re delighted to bring him to the club.
‘He impressed for Exeter before joining Luton, where he was a shining light during what was a difficult back end to last season.
‘We’ve brought in a player who has experience of Championship football and is comfortable on either flank, as well as centrally.
‘He’s an explosive winger and we feel very positive about him being the first player through the door here this month.’
Alli has been signed in time for feature in Saturday’s Championship game at Hillsborough - a game both Umeh and Blair will miss following injuries picked up in Sunday’s FA Cup third-round defeat against Arsenal.
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