Portsmouth Target Late-Window Signings

Portsmouth are set to make a flurry of moves before the September 1 transfer deadline, with nine new signings already in place and a list of targets that includes left-backs, a holding midfielder and a versatile forward. The club is also looking to offload several senior players, including Josef Bursik and Jacob Farrell.

Window Tightens

The final full week of the summer transfer market is in full swing at Fratton Park, with Portsmouth’s manager John Mousinho eyeing a busy period before the September 1 deadline. Nine players have already crossed the threshold at PO4 - Odin Bailey, Eoin Kenny, Rocco Shein, Marko Milovanovic, Daniel Bielica, Luke Brooke-Smith, Abu Kamara, Benjy Arthur and Ryan Kavuma-McQueen - and the squad is expected to grow further.

In the departures column, Makenzie Kirk, Toby Steward and Jordan Williams have all gone out on loan, while Ibane Bowat completed a permanent switch to Huddersfield Town earlier this month. The club now has 33 senior players (excluding U21 Tayo Singerr) and is looking to reduce that number before the window closes.

Key Targets

Mousinho has admitted that Portsmouth are looking at recruiting at least three new players in the final eight days. The left-back position tops the list, with injuries to Connor Ogilvie (knee) and Jacob Farrell (groin) forcing Zak Swanson to step in for the opening three matches. Luke Chambers, a highly-rated Liverpool talent, is also believed to be a wanted figure at left-back, though Blackburn Rovers have shown interest.

A central midfielder is on the shopping list - a new number six - after a move for Antalyaspor’s Jesper Ceesay fell through earlier this month. Out-of-favour Wolves talent Boubacar Traore was last week touted with a switch to PO4, with reports suggesting a loan move for the 25-year-old. Cesar Peixoto’s side is keen for the midfielder to depart permanently after a frustrating four-year stay at Molineux.

The head coach is also on the lookout for a versatile attacker following the injury to Thomas Waddingham. Burton Albion’s Tyrese Shade is linked as a potential recruit.

Players on the Move

Portsmouth are keen to offload several senior players before the deadline. Josef Bursik, Jacob Farrell and Luke Le Roux are earmarked for sale, while Hayden Matthews is likely to depart on loan. The club is also looking to send the £1.25m Aussie - a reference to Hayden Matthews - on a temporary basis to secure regular match minutes away from Fratton Park.

Harvey Blair’s future is under scrutiny, with Mousinho open to a potential exit for the winger, who is entering the final 12 months of his deal. Interest has been reported from Widzew Łódź, Servette and Ferencváros in his services, and he could leave either on a permanent or temporary basis.

Mark Kosznovszky, the injured Hungarian midfielder, will not be registered in the 25-man EFL squad for the first half of the season as he continues his recovery from a serious knee injury. He is not expected to return to the first team until January.