Why Portsmouth could face a problem signing Norwich's Sean Raggett on a permanent basis

Christian Burgess is moving closer to the exit door, with the Blues no nearer to agreeing a deal with the defender.

That’d represent a huge blow for the club, with the ex-Middlesbrough man in his best form during his five years at Fratton Park.

The partnership of Burgess and Sean Raggett have been Kenny Jackett’s preferred partnership for the most part this campaign.

Slowly but surely they developed a sound understanding and provided the backbone for the Blues’ climb up the League One table after a stuttering start.

But Raggett’s future also remains up in the air, with his situation more complicated.

The on-loan defender, who’s scored two goals in 36 games at Fratton Park, is out of contract at Norwich on June 30.

It’s unlikely Raggett will force his way into boss Daniel Farke's plans anytime soon – even if the Canaries are relegation to the Championship.

However, the Carrow Road outfit may still activate his clause for an additional 12 months to ensure they at least receive a fee if he’s to depart this summer.

With the financial landscape uncertain against the backdrop of coronavirus crisis, Pompey would then have to weigh up whether Raggett’s price tag would make sense.

David Freezer, chief Norwich reporter at the East Anglian Daily Press, said: ‘Most people outside Norfolk would expect Norwich to be outside the Premier League next season, although those inside the club thought they were building momentum and could pull off a miracle before the shutdown of football.

‘The only way I can see Raggett being involved again is if they’re back in the Championship.

‘Rocky Bushiri is a Belgium under-21 international who’s been out on loan, while Akin Famewo has been a regular at St Mirren. Those two would be hoping to be in and around the first-team squad and the club has really focused pushing through academy products.

‘As far as Raggett goes, he’d need Norwich to be back in the Championship. Then Daniel Farke’s team is known to be possession-based and keep the ball. Raggett's very good in the air but the issue is if he could be part of a possession-based side.

‘I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of him staying at Norwich but it’s unlikely he’d play an important part in the Championship.

‘If he did want to come back then he’d have to force his way in and get ahead of a few players.

‘I’d imagine Norwich will activate the one-year option in his contract because if you’re playing at a big club like Portsmouth at the top end of League One then you’re worth something.

‘If you’re worth £100,000 then it’s a decent amount to Norwich because they're a self-financed club who try to be self-sustainable.

‘I imagine they’ll activate that option just to get a small fee for him.’

Raggett joined Norwich in 2017 after an impressive spell at Lincoln.

He's made two appearances for the Canaries, however, and had loan spells with the Imps, Rotherham and now Pompey.

Norwich’s hurtling progress under Farke is why it hasn’t worked out for Raggett.

Freezer added: ‘It was an early stage of a regime where Norwich were looking for bargains and looking for potential.

‘Things might have worked out differently for Raggett if Norwich had stayed a mid-table Championship club like they were when he signed.

‘The fact he’s playing top end of League One probably shows the scouting regime was right but it's never got of the ground for him.’