Portsmouth targeting Stoke central defender Harry Souttar for Fratton Park switch

However, hopes of landing the Australian international are fading as he edges closer to Stoke’s first-team.

It is understood the Blues have targeted the 21-year-old since the start of the summer.

Kenny Jackett believes Souttar can perform the left-sided centre-half role in his Pompey side.

That would then see Sean Raggett pushed to the right, being a natural right-footer.

Souttar has recently enjoyed two outstanding loan spells at Fleetwood in League One, aiding the Stoke player’s development.

Similarly, Pompey have asked the Championship side about bringing him to Fratton Park for regular first-team football.

The Blues remain upbeat an arrangement can be agreed, although time is running out to make Saturday’s League One kick off against Shrewsbury.

However, Souttar has impressed during pre-season with the Potters and was among four unused substitutes in their weekend 1-0 friendly victory at Newcastle.

And boss Michael O’Neill could keep him around their squad as they seek to improve on last terms’s 15th placing.

Souttar has two Australian caps and last season made 41 appearances for a Fleetwood side which lost in the play-off semi-finals.

He also scored in the 2-2 draw against Pompey at Fratton Park in March – before coronavirus prompted the cancellation of the league season.

Meanwhile, Pompey are today hoping to complete the signing of right-back Callum Johnson from Accrington for an undisclosed fee.

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