Portsmouth in race against time to sign pair ahead of looming salary cap vote

On Thursday, League One and League Two members will be asked to vote on whether to introduce a wage ceiling in time for the 2020-21 campaign.

For League One clubs, that will involve a £2.5m cap, along with plans for squads to be restricted to sizes of 22.

With the Football League scrapping the initial concept of the salary cap being backdated to June 30, clubs now have until August 6 to capitalise.

In the case of Pompey, prospective contracts for Raggett and Brown would each cost considerably more than the League One average of £1,300.

However, if both deals are finalised before Thursday, they would be regarded at the divisional average – should the salary cap be introduced, of course.

That has created a race against time for Pompey – and other clubs – to secure transfers of players on costlier contracts.

Certainly with Raggett, the Blues would need to meet the wage requirements of a player whose last permanent deal was signed when Norwich were a Championship club.

In addition, there will be other suitors for a player who grew into last season to undoubtedly prove his Fratton Park worth.

With Brown, there has been interest from Hull, Rotherham and Wycombe, in addition to Pompey.

However, the Surrey-based left-back favours staying in the south to allow him to remain closely involved with his flourishing property development business.

It is understood both prospective deals are progressing encouragingly for the Blues ahead of Thursday.

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