John Mousinho hasn’t given up hope of persuading Andre Dozzell he has a Pompey future.
Although he admits the situation is ‘difficult’, with reports of interest from DC United ‘not too far off the mark’.
The Blues are increasingly confident of keeping out-of-contract trio Marlon Pack, Connor Ogilvie and Zak Swanson at Fratton Park.
However, the lure of playing in the MLS has left them with a battle to convince Dozzell to extend his two-year stay on the south coast.
There is a strong possibility that Saturday’s visit of Birmingham will represent a farewell for the 26-year-old after 79 appearances and four goals for Pompey.
Although Mousinho hasn’t yet ruled out Dozzell signing a new deal.
‘There is interest from abroad. Naturally, Doz is going to want to explore that’
The head coach told The News: ‘Andre has interest from elsewhere. I don’t need to get into the details of it and it’s not my place to speak to the press about it, but nothing is done yet, so nothing is done and dusted.
‘We’re still going to try to plough ahead with signing Doz if we possibly can. But, naturally, with a player coming out of contract, there’s interest from elsewhere.
‘He hasn’t made his choice yet, he’s got options, which is a good thing. They are very different options, so it’s not between Pompey and a local club in the Championship, although there will be plenty of interest there.
‘It’s going to be something which represents a change and something different for Doz if he decides to take that. It’s down to him to decide, he has earned the right to do it because of how good his performances have been over the past couple of years.
‘It’s not my place to reveal a huge amount, but obviously some of these reports are not too far off the mark. Nothing has been agreed, but there is interest from abroad. Naturally, Doz is going to want to explore that.’
Arrived at Fratton Park on a free transfer
Dozzell moved to Fratton Park on a free transfer in August 2024, having spent a period of time trialling with Sheffield United.
Previously with Ipswich, QPR and Birmingham, the midfielder possessed crucial Championship experience to bolster a squad which had just won the League One title.
He has subsequently established himself as a regular in Pompey’s first-team, particularly this season, with Mousinho believing the ex-England youth international is in the best form of his career.
Certainly the Blues are desperate to retain Dozzell, having previously indicated to his advisors of their intent to offer a new deal once Championship safety was secured.
Mousinho added: ‘We are still hopeful, but it’s difficult.
‘The player is in a good position from his point of view. He has played some good football here for the past two years, I actually think it has been the best two seasons of his career, particularly this year.
‘There was a lot of doubt surrounding Doz at the start of his time here, probably a lot of people didn’t necessarily think he’d improve as much as he has done, but he’s put himself in a strong position.’
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