John Mousinho delivers Portsmouth transfer update with Blues eyeing more player business
The Blues have recruited two players to date during the summer transfer window
John Mousinho has ruled out any more new faces arriving at Pompey’s training camp this week.
Although he is adamant a ‘couple’ of signings are in the pipeline as the Blues seek to add to their squad.
Odin Bailey and Eoin Kenny represent Pompey’s summer business to date, with the pair also in attendance on their pre-season tour in the Republic of Ireland.
Pompey are also pursuing deals for long-running targets Rocco Shein and Marko Milovanovic, both for significant fees, as the transfer window ramps up.
Ideally, the Blues would like both as part of the group during their week-long stay in the Emerald Isle, which ends on Saturday.
However, their head coach doesn’t anticipate any further signings being completed in time to fly out to join them.
‘I don’t think we are close’
Mousinho told The News: ‘I don’t think we are close in terms of bringing any new players over to Ireland this week.
‘There are a couple that are in the pipeline, Rich is working hard on anything on that front. I have switched my focus now this week to training, planning and making sure everything goes smoothly here over the next few days.
‘Obviously I will catch up with Rich because he is here, but there will be no new incomers that come out to Ireland - and there will be no-one flying out to sign for another club.
‘So I think we’ll see a bit of activity next week.’
Latest Portsmouth signing recruited on Monday
Kenny was unveiled on Monday night after completing his anticipated switch from League of Ireland side Dundalk.
The highly-regarded 20-year-old trained with his team-mates for the first time yesterday at their Irish training camp, whose precise location is still being kept under wraps.
Also on tour is Bailey, who last week became the Blues’ first signing of the summer following a free-transfer move from League One Stockport.
Currently two weeks behind his new team-mates, the former Birmingham player is being eased into Pompey’s training sessions as he attempts to play catch up.
As a consequence, he was not involved in this morning’s session, although the vast majority of the Blues squad did feature, including fellow newcomer Kenny.
The Fratton faithful are likely to catch their first glimpses of the two newcomers next week, with their friendly programme kicking off at Woking on July 14.
By that stage, the Blues may have also unveiled several other signings as they close in on adding to squad which last season finished 18th in the Championship.