Portsmouth rivals close in on £7m statement signing as Southampton, West Ham and Middlesbrough eye talent

The summer window has been open for a week and Pompey are yet to conduct their first piece of business.

That picture looks set to change, however, with the Blues reportedly placing a seven-figure bid to land DAC Dunajska Streda midfielder Mate Tuboly.

John Mousinho’s are said to have launched a seven-figure offer to land the Hungarian U21 captain, who has also been watched by Watford and Swansea City.

A move for Gibson Yah, though, is off. The midfielder was believed to be in advanced talks over a switch to Fratton Park this summer from Dutch side FC Volendam, but that deal is said to have since fallen through.

Elsewhere, gossip and speculation continues to ramp up across the Championship as the transfer window kicks into gear.

Here are the latest headlines involving Pompey’s rivals.

Derby County close on £6m deal

It’s expected to be a busy summer at Pride Park as Derby County look to break into the play-offs.

The Rams, of course, narrowly missed out on the top six last term, finishing five points behind sixth-placed Hull City.

John Eustace is already making strides to close that bridge, with his side reportedly close to landing one of last season’s key loanees.

Derbyshire Live have reported RB Salzburg’s Bobby Clark is edging towards a permanent move after a successful campaign-long stint at Pride Park.

The winger netted four goals and collected four assists in 45 appearances in all competitions last term, which also included two outings against Pompey.

The fresh report states the 21-year-old is poised to undergo his Derby medical before completing his £7m switch.

It is believed the deal also included a 17.5 per cent sell-on clause, which will see Liverpool bank a seven-figure fee after selling the Anfield youth product to RB Salzburg in 2024 for £10m.

Clark was named the Rams’ player of the season last term and is now closing in on a permanent move to the Blues’ Championship rivals.

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Championship trio eye Hibs star

A trio of Championship clubs are reportedly keeping tabs on Hibernian midfielder Josh Mulligan.

The Daily Mail have claimed Southampton, Middlesbrough and West Ham all have eyes on the 23-year-old, who arrived at Easter Road last term.

The report states both Southampton and Middlesbrough have both identified the Scotland youth international as respective replacement for the in-demand Shea Charles and Hayden Hackney.

Mulligan scored three goals and collected five assists in 33 appearances for David Gray’s side, but was heavily impacted by an ankle injury.

His impressive displays have alerted a number of Pompey’s second-tier rivals, with the classy operator still holding three years on his current Hibs terms.

West Ham are also said to be interested as they anticipate a number of exits in the engine room following their Premier League relegation.

Former Blues loanee Freddie Potts remains at the London Stadium having penned a new long-term contract last summer.

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