Portsmouth transfers: Fans express concerns over club's finances as Wigan, Doncaster Rovers and Oxford moves are lined up
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That’s after two of the club’s soon to be out-of-contract players were linked with moves to League One rivals, while a third completed his switch to a third-tier side.
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Hide AdJack Whatmough’s anticipated free-transfer move to Wigan was completed on Friday evening, despite late interest in his services from Shrewsbury.
Ben Close is poised to complete a move to Doncaster Rovers.
Meanwhile, Ryan Williams is reportedly interesting Oxford, who leapfrogged Pompey to the last remaining play-off spot on the final day of the season.
All three players were offered fresh deals to remain at Fratton Park and extend their stays.
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Hide AdBut the terms on offer were deemed unsuitable – prompting Whatmough, Close, Williams and Tom Naylor to walk away in search of new challenges.
In Pompey’s defence, they have insisted the best possible deals were offered at a time when the club is still counting the costs of the coronavirus pandemic.
Yet with the Blues’ league rivals appearing able to lure them away with better deals – despite their own money worries – many of the Fratton faithful are understandably concerned.
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Hide AdHere’s what they’ve been saying on social media as fans worry about their club’s pulling power when a major overhaul of the squad is desperately needed...
@wellsa1970: I have never really rated Ben Close but other supposedly smaller clubs offering better terms is worrying.
Anthony Knight: So Shrewsbury join the growing list of clubs who can offer significantly better terms/wages than us.
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Hide AdI predict a season of struggle with non league freebies and journeymen pros.
So much for the Eisners’ 5-year plan to get to the Championship.
Feel sorry for the Cowleys. What chance have they/we got if the minnows of this league can outbid us on players contracts and terms.
We ARE going backwards
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Hide Ad@Michael05023552: What an absolute joke Doncaster can pay better wages than us and they’ve obviously got more drive than us to get out of this league.
Hope @Michael_Eisner can take the heat when we’ve been in this league for another 4 years.
Hugh Skilling: The fact Shrewsbury who average around 4000 fans can pay better wages than Pompey who will have bigger sponsors, 18,000 fans a game is an absolute shambles.
Something is definitely not right at the club.
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Hide AdPlayers leaving, players wanting out, Catlin going. Something isn’t right that’s for sure.
@darrenbox: Do we really want to lose the homegrown lads and can we really not compete in the salary department with these clubs?
I thought our process was about homegrown talent and their development. Not as if Ben and Jack are in their 30s and chasing one final payday.
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Hide AdBarrie Jenkins: Wigan? Sorry JW your better than that but it’s your choice.
Goodbye and good luck.
As for ourselves, I understand that there has been revenue issues but I get the sense something else is going on in the background.
Championship 22/23: This is an awful strategy, we’re not gonna sign anyone better than the likes of MacGillivray, Whatmough and Close for less than they want especially if we have to pay a transfer fee.
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Hide AdEisners showing no ambition at all here and in 2 years we’ll regret it.
Steve Wild: How can Shrewsbury offer better terms than Pompey?
I’m probably not alone in getting worried about the next season.
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Hide Ad@Alharris_1111: All players being offered a new deal on reduced terms yet they are all moving around the country to earn more money.
Is our wage budget even competitive? What is the club objectives this season?
@fazzer84: Club probably offered Close 100 quid and a nelson the dog scarf!
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Hide AdDave Bourton: Very worrying when Doncaster & Shrewsbury can out bid us.
@wotnofish: I thought our owner just made a couple of billion from Topps cards. Why are we losing players to similar clubs over wages?
Aaron Grimble: Now a case of replacing them with better quality players, will pass judgement once I see the new squad.
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Hide AdOnly thing that concerns me is that our rivals seem to be able to offer wages we can't even though those said clubs are smaller & also suffered the same financial losses as a result of the pandemic.
Are the Eisners lacking ambition, only time will tell.
Gary Hills: Shame we cannot afford to keep Jack because we have to fund wages for the likes of Downing and Marquis.