Portsmouth eye £1m striker as they bid to bolster front line in January transfer window
The News has details of Pompey’s chase for the powerhouse Grenoble striker, as they make a new number nine a January transfer window priority.
Pompey are on the trail of £1m-rated striker Nesta Elphege.
The News understands the Blues are keen on the French powerhouse, as they target bolstering the number nine position in the January transfer window.
Grenoble powerhouse striker in Pompey’s transfer sights
Boss John Mousinho believes he needs to add to his threat leading the line, as he aims to keep his side in the Championship this term.
And the strength and goal threat of the 6ft 4in striker has been identified as being what’s needed in that area of the pitch.
Pompey’s interest in Elphege is believed to have spanned a number of months, as the 25-year-old operates with Grenoble in the French second tier.
The left-footer brings the kind aerial threat, hold-up play and calm finishing the Blues recruitment team believe will be transferable to the English game.
Elphege has four goals and three assists from 18 appearances this term, with his side sat 13th in the table.
Injuries limited his impact last season, but the 2023-24 season saw him deliver 13 goals in 31 appearances in the French third division.
Pompey have made their interest in Elphege clear, though they are also believed to be currently exploring other striker options.
The Fratton football operation is pushing on with their January transfer business this week, with Mousinho indicating he expects new faces to arrive by the time his team face Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
The head coach stated he expected up to six new additions through the door, before the close of the window on February 1.
Pompey have lost both Franco Umeh (hamstring) and Harvey Blair (hip flexor) to injury since he made that statement, leaving his squad without any out-and-out wingers.
Pompey making new striker a January transfer window priority
Mousinho hinted at the need to improve his striker department this week, when speaking to The News about his options in that area of the pitch.
He stated the Blues are monitoring the situation there with Colby Bishop going through a difficult time this season, with two goals to his name. Meanwhile, Thomas Waddingham is expected to be sidelined until February after a campaign in the treatment room.
That leaves Makenzie Kirk as the only other striker option at present, with the 21-year-old joining from Scottish Championship outfit St Johnstone last summer.
Mousinho said: 'It’s a tough one with Mack (Kirk). Prior to him starting for us he’d had no league starts in this country, now he’s got four Championship starts behind him.
‘In that centre-forward department with Colby being out for a couple of weeks, Mack’s taken up the centre-forward reins and done well.
‘It’s great that we had Colby back, but Tom’s out until probably mid-February. So we’ll monitor that situation now and see how it is.
‘We anticipated Mack coming in and having an effect which he’s done. But we probably didn’t think we’d have to reel him out as that front-liner for the number of games he’s had, but he’s done that and had a really good impact.
‘All we have to do now is focus on the league. Development of players is important, but regardless of how many players we have in the building the best ones will play, the best ones who can affect the side will play - that’s all we can think about.’