View: Portsmouth can make quality signing as Karamoko Dembélé transfer offer emerges
Portsmouth have emerged as one of the clubs interested in signing Brest forward Karamoko Dembélé.
John Mousinho has an enormous task on his hands next season.
Pompey were exceptional last time out as they clinched the EFL League One title with an impressive 97 points.
It sees them make a return to the EFL Championship for the first time since 2012 and supporters at Fratton Park will no doubt be buzzing ahead of the 2024/25 campaign kicking off.
However, while excitement levels will understandably be high, if the club want to be competitive in the second tier of English football then there is a lot of work to be done.
Some of that work includes bringing in players who will improve the squad.
And it appears as if Mousinho’s side are on the right track after a recent transfer link.
As reported by Darren Witcoop via X (16 July), Portsmouth, Derby and Sheffield Wednesday have all made offers to Brest for Dembélé.
Bolton have also shared an interest, and after the season the 21-year-old had in League One with Blackpool on loan, it is no surprise that several clubs are chasing his signature.
With fellow Championship sides Derby and Sheffield Wednesday also making offers, signing Dembélé might not be easy. However, if the club can get a deal across the line, it could be huge.
Portsmouth want to sign Karamoko Dembélé from Brest
Dembélé impressed with Blackpool on loan from Brest last season.
Across 39 appearances he managed eight goals and also provided 13 assists as the Seasiders finished in eighth place.
His underlying numbers were arguably even more impressive too. The Englishman managed 1.3 shots per 90 minutes, played two key passes per match and was fouled 1.9 times per game (WhoScored).
In addition, he managed 1.3 dribbles per 90 minutes and chipped in defensively too, making 1.2 tackles per match.
He averaged a pass success rate of 80 per cent per 90 minutes and also played 0.9 crosses into the box per match.
After that kind of form, it is no surprise that clubs are queuing up to bring him back to English football.
And after his performances against Pompey, it is also no surprise that Mousinho’s side are one of the clubs in that queue.
Blackpool recorded a huge 4-0 victory over Portsmouth at Fratton Park last season (25 November), with Dembélé grabbing himself an assist and completing 90 per cent of his passes, with three of those key (Sofascore).
During the reverse fixture, a 0-0 draw between the two sides (9 March), he once again impressed, playing three key passes, completing 100 per cent of his dribbles and winning eight of his 11 ground duels.
Dembélé might just therefore just be the perfect addition to Portsmouth’s squad for their Championship campaign.
In other Portsmouth news, new contracts have been targeted for a popular Fratton Park duo.
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