Portsmouth’s target signings number - as John Mousinho breaks down final transfer window player hunt
The latest details of Pompey’s final transfer window player hunt this afternoon - in terms of number of signings and the positions of targets pursued.
John Mousinho believes three further arrivals before the transfer deadline will represent decent January business for Pompey.
And the Blues boss has detailed the latest on the positions being sought, between now and 7pm on Monday evening when the window closes.
Mousinho delivered a tongue-in-cheek assessment of how things could pan out in terms of further numbers, before acknowledging three new faces will be a pleasing number to get over the line.
When asked how many new players will arrive, the Pompey boss said: ‘Between one and six!
‘Maybe that’s a mad spread, but a more realistic one is two or three.
‘If we did two that’d be fine with what we’ve done already, if we do three that’s six (in total) - and it would’ve been a good January.’
Mousinho boiled down on the departments which will now be under focus, as the dynamic shifts with five days of trading remaining.
The centre-back position remains in the balance with either one or two new players likely to come in, as Pompey weigh up short-term availability issues with already having five specialist options there.
The News revealed this morning Pompey are closing on on Sunderland’s Aji Alese, while Dundee’s Luke Graham is still of interest.
Mousinho has suggested he’s happy with his midfield number, though the Blues are known to be chasing Sheffield Wednesday’s Svante Inglesson. South African international Luke Le Roux is an existing option who could depart.
A striker is certainly still being sought to lighten the load on Colby Bishop and emerging summer arrival Makenzie Kirk.
Intriguingly, Mousinho has indicated another winger could still come in despite Pompey already recruiting Alli and Anderson.
Callum Lang’s future remains in the balance with Preston chasing the attacker, after they renewed the summer interest in the attacker.
Elsewhere, Mousinho looks content with his options in the full-back positions.
He added: ‘We’d probably have been keen on two (central defenders) if Shaughs was out for the season, so there will be a discussion on that one.
‘I think we’re done in the middle of the park, I think we’re strong there.
‘We have Doz (Dozzell), Luke (Le Roux), Marlon (Pack), Ebou (Adams) and Swifty (Swift). With the way we’re playing at the minute, Chappers (Chaplin), Callum (Lang) and Segs (Segecic) could fit there as well.
‘There’s a couple of bits (on strikers). Over the past three or four games, Colby (Bishop) has been excellent.
‘Without scoring goals, he’s coming back to the form we all expect for him. He’s leading the line really well.
‘He was dead on his feet against Southampton but led the line really well, even if I’m desperate for a couple of goals from him.
‘We’re not in a panic on it (buying a striker), but if there were any options there I think we would.
‘We’re happy with the wingers we’ve brought in, but it’s another flexible one. If one pops up I wouldn’t dismiss it - but it’s not one we’re desperate for.
‘We’re probably okay there (left-back) too, we’re probably okay. Where we’ve got to on that is we’re going more along the lines of a getting a centre-half, because that frees Connor (Ogilvie) up and Zak Swanson up who’s covered there.’