Portsmouth ready to react as pace quickens at transfer window’s climax
Tyrese Shade and Adrian Segečić remain at the transfer fore for Pompey at the window’s climax.
John Mousinho believes Pompey are ready to react quickly as they complete their transfer window business.
And the Blues boss outlined late opportunities which surfaced in the January window as evidence the board will be ready to sanction any recruitment curveballs which arise.
Mousinho: ‘We’re having regular discussions with the board’
The pace is now quickening ahead of tomorrow’s 11pm deadline, with John Mousinho stating he expects three more additions to his squad.
Tyrese Shade remains a key attacking target, with Burton Albion placing a £2m valuation on the man who bagged 14 League One goals last term.
Pompey view that price as high for a player who was operating at National League level with Eastleigh last year.
A full-back is still on the agenda, with Mousinho indicating Zak Swanson’s versatility means an addition on either flank is a consideration.
The News reported interest in Rhys Norrington-Davies, though Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder indicated he’s part of his plans with the Wales international featuring for his side on Saturday.
Meanwhile, reports have emerged suggesting Liverpool’s Luke Chambers is set to remain at Anfield, after links with a move to Fratton Park.
Adrian Segečić’s future is under the spotlight with Birmingham City keen and Pompey still braced for a bid for their prime asset.
In the event of that development, the Blues will need to react quickly to cover the Croatian’s exit - with Mousinho indicating deadline day would be the cut-off point in doing so.
A host of players will also need to depart or be deregistered to comply with the EFL’s 25-man squad rules in place in the Championship.
Speaking to The News, the Pompey boss stated his club will be ready to react to the late twists which surface.
Mousinho said: ‘We’re having regular discussions with the board.
‘Andy (Cullen) speaks to Michael (Eisner) a huge amount, Rich (Hughes) speaks to Michael and speaks to Eric (Eisner) a huge amount.
‘I’ve got a direct line to both of them if I want to as well.
‘It’s actually not often about transfers, we just speak about everything and anything to do with football in general.
‘But if we need to get in touch with the board, we can convene a meeting very quickly and easily.
‘They are unbelievably invested in the football club. Over the three-and-a-half years that I’ve been here in the last week of the window they are ready to say yes and say no on things.
‘We actually had a couple come up at the end of the January window, we actually weren’t able to move on them.
‘But we asked the board for two or three things, the board went away and within an hour the phone rang and Andy Cullen said “the answer is yes from the board - go away and see if you can do that”.
‘We weren’t able to make it happen in the end, but it’s pretty straightforward. I think some people think the way our owners operate is in a vacuum far, far away - but there’s always very smooth communication.’