Portsmouth transfer window state of play: Callum Lang, Aji Alese, Svante Ingelsson, Luke Graham, Jacob Farrell and more
The current state of play with Pompey’s January transfer window for our subscribers as the February 2 deadline looms.
Any defenders coming in?
Pompey are working on a loan deal for Sunderland’s Aji Alese, who has recently returned from a broken leg sustained in the FA Cup against Stoke in January last year.
The centre-half will bolster a position which is currently without Conor Shaughnessy, Hayden Matthews, Josh Knight and Regan Poole.
Earlier in the week, Mousinho wanted to recruit two central defenders, however, he is weighing up rethinking that after a second opinion on Shaughnessy’s quad injury revealed it wasn’t as bad as first feared.
There is no comeback date for Knight, who has a stress fracture of the back, although Poole was expected to return to training today and Matthews (ankle) could be out for another six weeks.
There also remains ongoing interest in Dundee’s Luke Graham, which would require a transfer fee above £1m. Although, if the Blues opt to sign just one centre-half in this window, Graham could be put on the backburner until the summer.
How do things stand with Callum Lang?
Intriguingly, Preston just won’t go away, having now declared interest in Lang in successive transfer windows. You would think they’ve had encouragement to make two approaches for the player, that’s how football transfers work.
Lang trained as usual on Thursday and, according to John Mousinho, is ‘training like an absolute animal at the moment’, showing no signs he is easing off ahead of any potential move.
Crucially, Mousinho is adamant he hasn’t been informed by the Blues’ hierarchy that Lang is being lined up for a Fratton Park departure during the current transfer window.
Certainly time is running out for Preston, with Pompey previously showing they have absolutely no appetite to sell a player late in the window when they’re unable to spend the money received on a replacement. Josh Murphy is a case in point.
Incidentally, Lang, who has played 11 times over the last 11 months due to injury, hasn’t been ruled out being in the squad against West Brom. Although Mousinho believes Tuesday’s clash with Ipswich is more realistic.
Are Pompey looking for a centre-forward?
Definitely, without any question. It is a pivotal position which needs strengthening, especially with the Blues being the second-lowest scorers in the Championship.
Colby Bishop, although showing improved form of late, still has just one goal in 25 league matches this season, and an alternative source of goals is essential.
Tellingly, Makenzie Kirk hasn’t come off the bench in the last four matches. In fact, he’s featured in just two of Pompey’s nine fixtures, despite being in the squad for each.
Thomas Waddingham is pencilled in to return to training next month, yet he has been sidelined for the last five months and cannot be expected to come straight into the side to affect matters positively.
Pompey are fully aware they need a striker before the end of the transfer window - and are confident they will get one.
What’s the situation with Svante Ingelsson?
Naturally, Sheffield Wednesday’s administrators are keen to maximise any transfer fee received for the Swedish midfielder. It is also in their best interests to create a bidding war, with admirers made public.
Although Pompey had a bid turned down at the end of last week, believed to be in the region of £300,000, it makes absolute business sense for the Owls to drive up the fee and smoke out other clubs.
Inevitably, since then, Millwall lodged a bid on Tuesday, which was also rejected. That suits the administrators - but not Pompey.
Worryingly, Millwall are fifth in the Championship and chasing the Premier League, while can offer substantially more wages than Pompey, who are in a relegation battle. It’s not difficult to see which club appeals more.
Not that Pompey have lost hope, far from it, but with Derby also now linked with the 27-year-old, it could be an interesting finale in this transfer chase.
How many more signings does John Mousinho want?
Speaking on Wednesday, the Blues boss told The News he wanted ‘two or three’ new signings before the end of the window.
He added: ‘If we did two that’d be fine with what we’ve done already, if we do three that’s six (in total) - and it would’ve been a good January.’
Since early December, Mousinho has spoken of wanting up to six new signings - and is currently at three.
Millenic Alli, Ebou Adams and Keshi Anderson have been the arrivals so far, albeit Adams the sole player to involve a transfer fee, with £500,000 paid to Derby for his services.
With the Blues closing in on Sunderland’s Aji Alese, that would take them up to four signings in the January window.
How’s the 25-man squad restrictions looking?
As it stands, the Blues are at their maximum limit of 25 players. That’s taking into account the injured Mark Kosznovszky and out-of-favour pair Tom McIntyre and Jordan Archer will not be registered.
That, of course, will change should a loan deal for Sunderland’s Aji Alese be completed, plus any further arrivals.
Players born on or after January 1, 2004 are classed as under-21 players, thereby aren’t counted towards the total, yet can still be selected.
This applies to Reuben Swann, Thomas Waddingham, Hayden Matthews, Adrian Segecic, Harry Clout, Makenzie Kirk, Franco Umeh and Tayo Singerr.
Although Umeh has now been ruled out for the remainder of the season, being an under-21 player, his absence doesn’t create a space in the 25-man squad.
Will anybody be leaving on loan?
Pompey are open to Jacob Farrell getting game time elsewhere in a loan spell, following just three appearances since arriving in July 2024.
Connor Ogilvie’s return to fitness and Zak Swanson’s impressive performances there, plus Jordan Williams’ versatility, means they now have plenty of options and cover at left-back to cope in the absence of Farrell.
However, the key issue is the squad are carrying 11 injuries at present, so haven’t got the available numbers to let the Australian leave - and clearly time is running out.
That can change, of course - and there is definitely the appetite to let Farrell move on loan - but the transfer deadline is on Monday.
Another interesting one is Luke Le Roux, who has yet to make a favourable impact and featured just once in the last four matches off the bench.
There is the danger he may not even be registered in Pompey’s 25-man squad should he remain for the rest of the season. A reason, if ever there was one, for the South African to seek a move elsewhere.