Sheffield Wednesday learn price tag to sign former Southampton star as Sunderland eye £4m ex-Portsmouth target

Portsmouth can begin their transfer proceedings in just three days time. John Mousinho and the Fratton Park board have made it clear they wish to strengthen this summer as the squad prepares to return to the Championship for the first time since 2012.

The Blues are aware it will not be an easy task as they come up against the likes of Leeds United, Burnley and Luton Town but with a strategic transfer plan, Pompey could be set to enjoy a highly- competitive 2024/25 season. Ahead of the upcoming window, here is the latest news from Pompey’s soon-to-be Championship rivals...

EFL learn price tag over ex-Saints star

Sheffield Wednesday head coach Danny Rohl is hopeful of a reunion with his former Southampton star Yan Valery at Hillsborough Stadium this summer and has now learnt the required price tag.

The German coach worked with the 25-year-old Angers star during their time at St Mary’s when Rohl was assistant coach to the former Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl. Valery subsequently left the Saints to join the Ligue 1 side, helping them achieve promotion to France’s top-tier last campaign, but recent reports from Sheffield Wednesday news indicated that the Owls had agreed a deal to sign the right-back in the upcoming transfer window.

A deal, however, is still far from being completed as additional reports have suggested that Ligue 1 side Montpellier and the Belgian top flight side Standard Liege are also in the mix to sign Valery’s signature.

Reports from AfricaFoot have revealed that the French club have now begun contact with the Tunisian international and his representatives with the same report adding that Liege put forward a loan-to-buy offer for the defender, which included a £423,000 price tag. It is reported that the Belgian club’s offer remains in the pipelines and while Angers depart which deal to accept, the club are open to letting the defender go ‘if the deal is financially right’.

Whether this £423,000 figure is a potential price tag or asking price remains to be seen but if Sheffield Wednesday are interested in beating their European competitors, it is certainly a figure that is well within the realm of possibility.

Sunderland eye £4m ex-Pompey target

Pompey’s soon-to-be Championship rivals Sunderland have been linked with a move for the former Blues target and Burnley midfielder Scott Twine. The Sun, via Sunderland Echo, have stated that Twine - who Fratton Park fans had hoped to welcome before his ultimate move to MK Dons in 2021 - will be departing Turf Moor this summer.

The report also adds that the newly-relegated side Birmingham City are ‘keen’ on Twine and have already ‘made an inquiry’. However, it is also noted that both the Black Cats and Twine’s former loan club Bristol City ‘may join in the auction’.

The Stadium of Light side are hopeful of bringing in several reinforcements this transfer window after a disappointing campaign saw them finish 16th. 24-year-old Twine has been identified as one such star and he would bring with him plenty of EFL experience.

The attacking midfielder began his youth career with Pompey rivals Southampton before heading to Swindon Town. Following 59 appearances across all competitions with the side, Portsmouth eyed a move for the forward with Danny Cowley ultimately opting not to pursue the rising star.

He then headed to MK Dons, scoring 20 times in 50 appearances, before making the £4m move to Burnley. Twine has made only 18 appearances for the Clarets but spent the last season on loan in the Championship with Hull City and Bristol City.