Portsmouth-linked midfielder's exit confirmed as Championship rivals in 5-way battle for Charlton Athletic ace

How Pompey’s transfer plans for the summer will shape up remains to be seen. But there’s still expected to be another resuffling of the squad as John Mousinho and sporting director Rich Hughes look to build on this season’s 16th-place Championship finish.

Five members of the Blues’ first-team squad see their contracts expire at the end of next month - Kusini Yengi, Zak Swanson, Ben Killip, Cohen Bramall and Alexander Milosevic.

No decision on their futures have been made public yet. But while the Pompey hierarchy decide who stays and who goes, already left Fratton Park are loanees Freddie Potts, Isaac Hayden, Mark O’Mahony, Rob Atkinson, Kaide Gordon and Adil Aouchiche.

Their departures, along with possible others, leave obvious gaps in the Blues’ squad to fill, with Pompey’s recruitment this summer expected to focus on central midfield reinforcements, a new centre-back and back-up to main striker Colby Bihop.

Already the Blues have been linked with a loan move for Crystal Palace youngster Hindolo Mustapha. Apart from that, though, we’re still expecting the rumour mill to really tick into gear.

Saying that, plenty of other Championship clubs are being linked with players. Here’s the latest developments as second-tier sides continue their plans for the 2025-26 campaign.

January-linked midfielder to leave Preston North End

With Pompey looking for central midfield reinforcements, on Wednesday it was officially confirmed that Ryan Ledson would be leaving Preston North End after seven years.

The 27-year-old will depart Deepdale on a free transfer, after making 215 appearances for the Lancashire outfit - including 26 league outings this season.

The Blues were linked with a move for the midfielder in January as they looked to add competition to their engine room over the second half of the season.

A move never materialised, though, with Pompey instead signing Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden on loan.

A former team-mate of John Mousinho’s at Oxford United, Ledson featured in both of North End’s games against the Blues this season. The experienced campaigner has also captained the Lilywhites on multiple occasions during his time at Deepdale.

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Pompey rivals in 5-team battle for Charton wing-back

Reports suggest five of Pompey’s Championship rivals are in a battle to land Charlton wing-back Thierry Small.

The 20-year-old’s Addicks contract expires next month. And while the former Everton and Southampton youngster’s season has been extended to include a League One play-off campaign, there’s already talk where he’ll be plying his trade next season.

There remains a possbility the in-demand player will remain at The Valley, especially if Nathan Jones’ side book a return to the second tier for the first time since the 2019-20 season.

But if Small opts for a fresh challenge, there’s a lot of clubs in the Blues’ division supposedly keen to exploit his free-agent status.

Indeed, according to Football League World, Blackburn, Derby and Oxford have joined previous admirers Preston North End and Milwall in keeping tabs on the versatile performer’s situation.

Small has featured 39 times for Charlton in League One this season, contributing two goals and three assists.

Norwich plot moves for up-and-coming stars

Managerless Norwich City are keen not to let their lack of a permanent head coach get in the way of their recruitment plans.

Jack Wilshire has been in charge of the Canaries after their decision to sack Johannes Hoff Thorup in the aftermath of their 5-3 hammering at the hands of Pompey on Good Friday.

That defeat, coupled with six others in the Carrow Road outfit’s last 10 games, led to the German getting the sack and Norwich ending up 13th in the final Championshup standings.

But as the process continues to find Thorup’s replacement, so too are plans to bolster their ranks.

That’s seen Norwich reportedly bid £100,000 for Fleetwood youngster Reeces Wilkes (16), who has made just one appearance for the Cobblers.

The Canaries are also being linked with Swindon sensation Botan Ameen, with the 18=year-old forward’s progress this season attracting interest not just from the Championship but the Premier League as well.

For your next Pompey read: Former Portsmouth defender put up for sale by League One side - less than year after helping Blues win title