Rich Hughes addresses fresh Portsmouth centre-half transfer plans after 'frustrating' Luke Graham blow
The Blues presently have six contracted centre-halves at Fratton Park - with all attending their Irish training camp
Pompey are still in the hunt for a new central defender after missing out on Luke Graham.
That’s the message from Rich Hughes, who revealed the Blues had agreed a fee and personal terms to land the in-demand 22-year-old, only for him to opt for Stoke.
It represented a hugely-disappointing conclusion to a long-running pursuit of the £2m-valued Dundee player, spanning back to the January transfer window.
Despite already having six centre-halves on their books at present, Pompey had identified Graham as an immediate first-team starter, reflected by the level of fee they were prepared to pay.
And following that transfer set-back, Hughes admits the Blues haven’t given up on bringing in a new central defender, remaining in the market for the right player.
‘It’s a position we would still like to strengthen’
He told The News: ‘Ultimately with Luke, that was one we pursued in January and tried to pursue again in the summer.
‘In the essence of the deal, we had club terms agreed, we agreed personal terms, and the player and his representatives made the decision to go elsewhere, which we have to take.
‘It’s a position we would still like to strengthen and add to - what we won’t do is sign a centre-back for the sake of it.
‘We like Luke’s profile in terms of age and ability and being a natural left footer, so if the right player is available, it would be something we would look to strengthen.
‘It wouldn’t be one we would be overinsistent on doing if we didn’t feel the player was right.’
Six centre-halves at Fratton Park
Pompey previously came close to landing Graham late in the January transfer window.
However, on two occasions when a fee had been agreed with Dundee, the Scottish Premiership side then raised the asking price, with the move ultimately falling through on deadline day.
Instead the Blues brought in Madiodio Dia as an alternative, arriving from Norwegian club FK Haugesund on a two-and-a-half year deal.
The Senegalese defender went on to feature seven times last season, including starting three of their last six matches as Mousinho’s men secured their Championship status.
For once, all six of their centre-halves are fit at present and fully involved in pre-season at their Irish training camp.
‘It was frustrating’
However, Ibane Bowat is expected to depart, while there remain questions over the future of Josh Knight, who has now returned from the back injury which ruled him out of the second half of last season.
Regan Poole, Conor Shaughnessy and Hayden Matthews complete the six contracted centre-halves - yet Hughes has spoken of his ‘frustration’ at missing out on Graham.
He added: ‘I think it’s a real sign of intent from the football club to try to recruit a talent and make sure that we were able to really strengthen the group and add to what we were doing.
‘It was frustrating not to get the deal done, but, as a club, we agreed personal terms and agreed a fee with the club, so there is little else that can be done.
‘We did all we could on that one as a club, it just so happens he chose a different destination.’