Tom Naylor opens up on his Portsmouth future with contract to expire at season's end

Tom Naylor revealed his desire to stay at Pompey beyond the end of his contract.
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But the skipper remains baffled by the implementation of the new salary cap that could well see him leave Fratton Park sooner than he’d want.

Naylor’s been a mainstay in Kenny Jackett’s side since arriving from Burton Albion on a free transfer in June 2018.

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The midfielder has scored five goals in 103 appearances and helped Pompey win the Checkatrade Trophy at Wembley during the 2018-19 season.

What's more, he was appointed club captain last year and is a highly-respected member of the dressing room.

Naylor’s three-year contract expires at the end of this term and he’s yet to open talks with the club about extending his stay.

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Salary cap rules introduced at the beginning of the campaign limit League One clubs to a £2.5m playing budget.

Pompey skipper Tom Naylor. Picture: Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.comPompey skipper Tom Naylor. Picture: Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.com
Pompey skipper Tom Naylor. Picture: Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.com

Next season, clubs will be allowed 21 players above the age of 21, meaning the average wage will be around £1,450 per week.

That's a significant drop to what Naylor is currently earning at PO4.

While the former Derby man still can’t fathom how a wage ceiling has been brought in, he remains hopeful he’ll be able to thrash out a deal to remain on the south coast.

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Naylor told The News: ‘It’s my third year here at the club and I have loved every minute of it.

‘I am honoured to be the captain of the club and I want to be here for the long term.

‘I don’t want to give my captaincy up and I obviously do want to stay here.

‘But with the new rules that have come in etc, if we can work around them then hopefully we can work something out.

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‘It’s not my decision at the minute, it’s for the club. If they want me to stay then I would love to stay.

‘I just can’t believe the salary cap is in place. I am being brutally honest.

‘It’s hard to get your head around it. The average wage is a lot less money than I’ve been on.

‘Hopefully, they can make a decision where it’s not going to happen and try to scrap it as much as we can.

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‘People higher up than me are trying to sort that out. I’ve got eight months left on my deal and got to give it my all.’

Naylor is one of eight Pompey players whose contract expires at the season’s end.

Craig MacGillivray, Duncan Turnbull, Jack Whatmough, Haji Mnoga, Ben Close, Andy Cannon and Bryn Morris’ deals also come to a close.

However, the Blues have options for an additional 12 months with MacGillivray and Close.

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Meanwhile, 18-year-old Mnoga still won’t count towards the salary cap if he is rewarded with fresh terms.

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