Portsmouth need to secure a transfer exit for goalkeeper Joe Bursik before the window closes on Tuesday. The 26-year-old is now back to full fitness but finds himself as the club's fourth-choice option, a situation manager John Mousinho acknowledged needed assessment earlier this month according to a report by The72.
Portsmouth finished 18th in the Championship last season with 55 points, and their next test is a home match against 8th-placed Derby on Tuesday. With the aim of moving further away from the relegation fight, the squad is being reshaped. The club has a 25-man squad limit and Bursik is unlikely to be registered, making him ineligible for competitive action if he stays.
What is Joe Bursik's situation at Portsmouth?
Joe Bursik joined Portsmouth from Club Brugge last summer on a two-year deal. He made 11 appearances for the club, with 10 of those coming in the first couple of months of the 2025/26 season. Since then, his position has been overtaken. New signing Daniel Bielica has arrived, while Nico Schmidt and Ben Killip are ahead of him in the pecking order, with Killip seemingly set as the third choice. This leaves Bursik, a former England youth international, completely out of the first-team picture.
Mousinho said earlier this month that "they will need to assess Bursik’s situation once he returns to fitness." That fitness has now been regained, but a move away from Fratton Park has not yet materialized. The club would favour a permanent departure given his contract situation, but a loan move remains a possibility to get him playing again. You can view the full squad composition on our squad page.
Why would a move to League One suit Bursik?
A drop down to League One could be the ideal restart for Joe Bursik's career, which has stalled in recent years. He previously impressed while on loan from Stoke City, most notably helping Peterborough United achieve promotion from League One during a six-game emergency loan stay. He has proven pedigree at Championship level too, keeping 20 clean sheets in 60 matches during his 53 appearances for Stoke City.
Regular football is the immediate priority for the goalkeeper. Ambitious clubs in League One, or even the top end of League Two, could see him as a major asset. Opportunities in Scotland may also emerge, given he previously spent a spell on loan with Hibernian. A move would benefit all parties, freeing up a squad place for Portsmouth and giving Bursik the chance to rebuild his career.
How does this fit with Portsmouth's window plans?
Portsmouth are actively in the market for new signings to strengthen their group. Offloading players who are not in the plans is a key part of that process, especially with the strict registration rules. The club conceded 64 goals last season, so defensive reinforcements are likely a focus. Moving Bursik on would help streamline the goalkeeping department and potentially free up resources.
The clock is ticking, with the deadline falling on Tuesday. Portsmouth's immediate focus then shifts to their fixtures, starting with the Derby County match. How the squad looks after the window closes will be telling for their ambitions this season, which will be guided by the lessons of a campaign where they finished 40 points behind champions Coventry. Fans can track the evolving league picture on our standings page.
