Ben Stevenson transfer update emerges as Portsmouth look for last-gasp sales – report
Portsmouth are looking to sell several players including Ben Stevenson before Friday’s transfer deadline, according to The News.
The city’s local site reported via Neil Allen [27 August] that with the squad’s first-team numbers now at 32, John Mousinho is willing to part with Stevenson, Anthony Scully, Gavin Whyte and potentially Tom Lowery before the window slams shut.
Stevenson, Lowery and Whyte all featured in the Carabao Cup defeat to Millwall this month, whilst Scully has not been included in any matchday squads this season after being told he can find a new club.
Portsmouth looking to trim squad
With 13 new signings and counting coming through the door at Portsmouth this summer, it is only sustainable that they get rid of a few who are surplus to requirements at Fratton Park.
That’s not to say there isn’t any talent among these players, but their circumstances vary – Stevenson is out of contract next summer, as is Scully, whilst Whyte’s potential homesickness and struggles in settling look to be holding back his progress.
Lowery has been mooted as a potentially key part of the squad but that was before other midfielders were brought in: Andre Dozzell, Abdoulaye Kamara and Freddie Potts have so far all signed in his position, alongside the fact he is nursing a hamstring issue.
The previous talk of the summer regarded what Pompey were going to do with Ryley Towler, having given the defender just three League One starts last season.
However, Towler has already matched that in the Championship before the end of August in this campaign, and is excellent cover to have whilst Tom McIntyre and Regan Poole are absent.
It promises to be a busy few days on the South Coast, before a final squad is shaped ahead of this weekend’s game with Sunderland.
In other Portsmouth news, Mousinho explains why Conor Shaughnessy missed the Middlesbrough match.
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