Exclusive:Callum Lang, Luke Graham and other target latest: The inside track on where things stand for Portsmouth in January transfer window
It’s the lowdown on Pompey’s transfer window this evening for our Pompey subscribers. From Callum Lang to Luke Graham, other targets and potential outgoings, we’ve got you covered.
How do things stand on Callum Lang?
Well, we know that Preston are renewing their interest in the Scouser after being keen on Lang last summer. There’s been reports of a £1.5m bid for Lang, though John Mousinho stated he has not been told of anything officially being tabled for his attacker.
Mousinho's quotes on the subject yesterday were insightful, as he made it clear there is absolutely no pressure to sell, though Pompey would have to weigh up doing a deal if Preston met their valuation for the 27-year-old.
So at what point does that happen? I get the feeling a £2m bid would be something the Blues would have to consider very carefully, for a player who effectively has 18 months on his contract and with talks over a new deal this season not progressing.
Lang’s feelings also have to be considered, too, with the player due to become a father this year and play-off chasing Preston fairly near to his Liverpool roots.
It just feels like things with Lang are in a slightly different place to last summer, when you feel a move would have been heavily resisted. The gut feeling is if Preston or anyone else can get to £2m - and in enough time for Pompey to land a replacement before February 2 - a move could well take place.
And what about incomings?
Well, it’s three through the door so far in Millenic Alli, Ebou Adams and Keshi Anderson - who all fulfil the brief of being Championship-ready signings.
The early signs are both Alli and Adams are upgrades on many of the existing options in their departments, too, which naturally is what Pompey require.
Mousinho has stated he expects up to six new signings, by the time the window closes at 7pm on February 2 - so it's three more faces on the strength of that.
Could there be more? I wouldn’t entirely rule that given the injury problems Pompey are facing.
One centre-back is required, though Mousinho didn’t shut the door on landing a second.
The Blues boss has now explicitly made it clear he’s searching for a number nine, too, to lighten the load on Colby Bishop.
Beyond that, I think Pompey will be flexible. Mousinho has made some noise on signing a number 10, but perhaps just being open to any opportunities is the way to go.
How’s the squad looking?
Well, Pompey will have to balance off any business against the EFL’s squad rules - with the limit 25 in the Championship. That number doesn’t count contracted under-21 players like Franco Umeh, Makenzie Kirk and Adrian Segecic.
During the transfer window Pompey have the flexibility of going game to game and being able to deregister players, before submitting a final list when the window closes.
They had one spot open going into the window to have some flexibility on potentially taking a free agent, if it was required. Minhyeok Yang was then recalled by Spurs freeing another, with three signings through the door.
Obviously with so many injuries, those sidelined players can be deregistered in the short term to get the new boys involved, but making numbers add up moving forward will be interesting.
Players departing or even deregistering those who remain is on the cards, with Mousinho even leaving the door open to not registering loanees if they stay. That is probably most pertinent with Florian Bianchini, who doesn’t look likely to be recalled by Swansea City.
And what about targets?
Yes there’s been a fair few of those surface now! It’s been a bit like a transfer window Guess Who? with the names slowly being knocked down.
Ousmane Sow joined Brondby and was out of Pompey’s reach financially, which when he went for a reported €2.5m is disappointing.
It seems like FC Zurich’s valuation of Jahnoah Markelo, who is contracted until 2023, is stopping a move developing.
Our understanding is a bid around Grenoble’s £1m valuation was tabled for Grenoble striker Nesta Elphege. The striker’s French side are in a Ligue 2 relegation battle, however, and aren’t keen to do business, while John Mousinho has spoken about the need to sign players who can hit the ground running. Put all that together and a deal seems dead in the water at present.
Defender Paddy McNair was mentioned, but there hasn’t been any movement on that front. Midfielder Andrew Moran was another early name mentioned, but there doesn’t appear to be any legs in that one at present.
And Luke Graham?
Well, yes, there’s definitely legs in that one.
The impressive, young Dundee defender is firmly in Pompey’s transfer sights and is viewed as an option who can immediately impact the first team in the Championship.
Reports is Scotland stated a Pompey bid for the 21-year-old was rejected last week, though they are expected to continue their pursuit of the centre-back.
There is reported interest from Sheffield United and QPR, with the latter said to have made a £1m move.
Pompey won’t want to get into a bidding war, however, and their position perhaps isn’t helped by Conor Shaughnessy’s injury underlining they clearly need a player in his department.
Any other business?
Well it’s perhaps worth mentioning again that Pompey will look to move on Jordan Archer this month, who is behind Ben Killip, Josef Bursik and Nicolas Schmid in the keeper pecking order.
Tom McIntyre is back at Pompey, after Bradford City curtailed his loan. He’s not involved in any squads with a Blues appearance ruling him out from appearing for anyone other than the Bantams, with players prohibited from featuring for three teams in a season. A permanent or loan exit is the desired outcome there.
Jacob Farrell could well depart to get some game time, after featuring off the bench against Watford on Wednesday night.
One to keep an eye on is Luke Le Roux, who’s getting very limited game time and hasn’t stepped up since his £1m summer arrival. The South African international could well be playing elsewhere by the close of the window - especially in World Cup year.