Portsmouth target Sean Raggett return as Kenny Jackett steps up interest in former Norwich man

The central defender is up for grabs having been granted a free transfer from Norwich – and won’t be short of interest.

However, Kenny Jackett is hoping the 26-year-old’s Fratton Park loan experience can help tempt him back to the south coast.

It is understood the Blues are encouraged following initial talks, fuelling optimism an agreement can be reached.

Raggett, though, would have to take a substantial wage drop from the Championship deal he struck with Norwich in August 2017.

In addition, player pay generally across League One and League Two will fall during post-coronavirus football, coupled with a proposed salary cap also looming.

As a free agent, Raggett is also likely to be coveted by Championship clubs, having featured at that level for Rotherham in 2018-19.

Yet the Gillingham-based player enjoyed his season-long stay with the Blues and has admitted he would consider a return.

The powerful centre-half grew considerably as the campaign progressed to emphatically prove his Pompey worth in a partnership with Christian Burgess.

Following Burgess’ departure for Royale Union Saint-Gilloise and with Paul Downing long out of the first-team picture, Pompey urgently need to bolster their centre-half ranks.

The recruitment of Raggett would help resolve that, while adding continuity following 38 Blues appearances last season.

Jackett was delighted with the ex-Lincoln man’s consistent displays and the strength of character demonstrated following shaky beginnings.

By doing so, Raggett also showed he is over the ankle problems which had blighted him the previous campaign and hampered displays early in his Fratton Park career.

And while pleased with his Blues displays, he has previously admitted there is more to come.

Pompey currently have 17 senior players contracted, a situation which may become more relevant should the salary cap introduce a 22-man maximum when put to a vote on August 6.

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