How Pompey’s transfer plans for the summer will shape up remains to be seen. But there’s still expected to be another resuffling of the squad as John Mousinho and sporting director Rich Hughes look to build on this season’s 16th-place Championship finish.
Five members of the Blues’ first-team squad see their contracts expire at the end of next month – Kusini Yengi, Zak Swanson, Ben Killip, Cohen Bramall and Alexander Milosevic.
No decision on their futures have been made public yet. But while the Pompey hierarchy decide who stays and who goes, already left Fratton Park are loanees Freddie Potts, Isaac Hayden, Mark O’Mahony, Rob Atkinson, Kaide Gordon and Adil Aouchiche.
Their departures, along with possible others, leave obvious gaps in the Blues’ squad to fill, with Pompey’s recruitment this summer expected to focus on central midfield reinforcements, a new centre-back and back-up to main striker Colby Bihop.
Already the Blues have been linked with a loan move for Crystal Palace youngster Hindolo Mustapha. Apart from that, though, we’re still expecting the rumour mill to really tick into gear.
Saying that, plenty of other Championship clubs are being linked with players. Here’s the latest developments as second-tier sides continue their plans for the 2025-26 campaign.
January-linked midfielder to leave Preston North End
With Pompey looking for central midfield reinforcements, on Wednesday it was officially confirmed that Ryan Ledson would be leaving Preston North End after seven years.
The 27-year-old will depart Deepdale on a free transfer, after making 215 appearances for the Lancashire outfit – including 26 league outings this season.
The Blues were linked with a move for the midfielder in January as they looked to add competition to their engine room over the second half of the season.
A move never materialised, though, with Pompey instead signing Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden on loan.
A former team-mate of John Mousinho’s at Oxford United, Ledson featured in both of North End’s games against the Blues this season. The experienced campaigner has also captained the Lilywhites on multiple occasions during his time at Deepdale.
Pompey rivals in 5-team battle for Charton wing-back
Reports suggest five of Pompey’s Championship rivals are in a battle to land Charlton wing-back Thierry Small.
The 20-year-old’s Addicks contract expires next month. And while the former Everton and Southampton youngster’s season has been extended to include a League One play-off campaign, there’s already talk where he’ll be plying his trade next season.
There remains a possbility the in-demand player will remain at The Valley, especially if Nathan Jones’ side book a return to the second tier for the first time since the 2019-20 season.
But if Small opts for a fresh challenge, there’s a lot of clubs in the Blues’ division supposedly keen to exploit his free-agent status.
Indeed, according to Football League World, Blackburn, Derby and Oxford have joined previous admirers Preston North End and Milwall in keeping tabs on the versatile performer’s situation.
Small has featured 39 times for Charlton in League One this season, contributing two goals and three assists.
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