Portsmouth braced for Fratton Park departures after receiving 'firm bids'
Pompey have 31 senior players in their first-team squad following the additions of Odin Bailey and Eoin Kenny
Pompey’s out-of-favour players have attracted transfer bids, according to Rich Hughes.
And he is confident the Blues will be able to offload them this summer to reduce a bulging squad which numbers 31 at present.
Jacob Farrell and Ibane Bowat head the list of those John Mousinho is currently seeking to move on, whether through permanent departures or loan arrangements.
Big decisions also need to be made over a number of others, including Josh Knight, Luke Le Roux, Makenzie Kirk and Harvey Blair, as Pompey attempt to create space for up to six more signings.
However, Hughes is relaxed over the situation, insisting ‘firm offers’ have already been received for some players they are prepared to lose.
And he anticipates a number of Fratton Park exits over the coming weeks as transfer negotiations reach a conclusion.
‘We’ve had some interest, a couple of firm offers on players’
He told The News: ‘Me and John have been quite consistent when we’ve spoken about this, we do expect some players to go, we expect some players to leave the football club this summer.
‘Within that they are assessing opportunities, they are having conversations and seeing where that pans out. But we do expect there will be players coming in - and equally players going out at the same token as well.
‘We’ve had some interest, a couple of firm offers on players, and, ultimately, it's down to them to have conversations with prospective clubs and to make sure they are making the right decisions for their future.
‘There has been interest and some offers, things will start to get moving and keep moving. I think they will go.
‘I also try to respect that process. When we’re trying to sign a player, there's a lot of work which goes into it and I suspect other clubs are doing similar processes, having to have the requisite conversations.’
Pre-season training camp in Ireland
As ever, Hughes has joined the Blues on their pre-season training camp, on this occasion being held in the Republic of Ireland.
With transfer meetings continuing to dominate his day, the sporting director is rarely glimpsed without a phone attached to his ear.
While close proximity to his head coach during the week-long stay also ensures Pompey remain on top of all transfer dealings - including potential departures from some of those players on tour.
Hughes added: ‘It’s really handy I am out here with John, we’re spending 16-17 hours each day together in various conversations.
‘Some clubs might have different alignments, where people are in different countries at the minute on pre-season, so that might be a factor.
‘There are plenty of conversations going on, we expect players to leave and me and John have been quite clear with certain players about their futures, which may be somewhat inhibited at the football club.
‘So they are better served looking for different opportunities and different options moving forward.’
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