Portsmouth have perfect chance to retain Mark O’Mahony after FA Cup twist
Portsmouth will have plenty to get stuck into over the summer in terms of strengthening their squad in the summer transfer market.
Once they have ensured for certain they will remain a Championship club in 2025-26, the shackles will be off to plan a squad improvement mission which may require increased funding.
Pompey operate with the smallest wage bill in the division which makes their form at times this season something at which to marvel, and the loan market could again play a key part next term.
Portsmouth could persuade side to lend them loanee back
John Mousinho and Rich Hughes have spoken in the past on how the transfer window can often be a beast at which clubs are at mercy.
Portsmouth are no exception – the food chain is the way it is, and Premier League clubs are often reluctant to part with their fringe or youth players on loan until they know which competitions they will play in moving forward.
Squad depth is then applied adequately – with Mark O’Mahony loaned to Fratton Park by Brighton & Hove Albion just hours before the transfer deadline last summer.
While the young Irish striker has found opportunities limited this season, injuries have played a part and he has chipped in with a few goals.
Brighton found themselves gutted on Saturday (29 March) as they were knocked out of the FA Cup at the quarter-final stage on penalties by Nottingham Forest.
This has denied Fabian Hurzeler’s side one of their routes into European football next term, with a place on offer to the cup winner.
Brighton are still seventh in the Premier League and could qualify for either the Europa League or Conference League this way, but the competition is rife for those places.
Should Albion not be in Europe next season, they will be playing far fewer fixtures and should Pompey want O’Mahony back, it would have a far more opportune chance of happening.
O’Mahony worthwhile back at Pompey next season?
It would be perfectly understandable to find the connection something of a reach, between Brighton’s bow out of the FA Cup and Portsmouth getting a loanee back for a second season.
But it’s the type of chain of events which sets up loan deals for young players time and time again.
The real discourse is over whether Brighton would be willing to lend O’Mahony along the South Coast again next season, based on his lack of starts or regular football with Colby Bishop leading the line on his own.
| Mark O’Mahony – 2024-25 | (All competitions) |
| Appearances | 13* |
| Starts | 5 |
| Goals | 4* |
Mousinho may also elect to look elsewhere to fill their loan spots, though O’Mahony is certainly a viable backup option with the glimmers he has shown.
Next season will see another year of physical development for the 20-year-old, and a run of games could produce a very decent goalscoring record.
If Brighton are in Europe next season, however, their squad will need to be far bulkier as opportunities will arise for their young prodigies like the on-loan Blues ace.