Portsmouth transfer news: Ex-Southampton ace perfect addition for John Mousinho
Portsmouth will have plenty of work to do across the summer transfer window once they hopefully secure Championship status for next season.
The Blues are three places and four points clear of the drop zone, having been let down by their away form and extensive injuries this term, and take on Norwich City at Carrow Road on Good Friday (18 April).
John Mousinho steered Pompey into the second tier this week last year and as Pompey fans reminisce on the memories of 12 months ago, they now avert their gaze towards keeping hold of what they achieved.
Portsmouth could throw hat in ring for former Southampton star
Portsmouth are so far not totally clear on what division they will be competing in next season, though the prospect of an immediate nosedive back into the quicksand of League One is unthinkable.
What the uncertainty does affect for now is recruitment plans, the funding Rich Hughes and his recruitment team will have available to them, and in what market they will be browsing this summer.
Portsmouth fans are desperate for the Eisners to invest, though Hughes and his department have shown an astute business hand to attract key players on loan deals and free transfers – and it is largely these players who have contributed in 2024-25, rather than those bought for higher sums.
One player who is likely to be available this summer is Leeds United loan midfielder Joe Rothwell, currently being borrowed from AFC Bournemouth.
Rothwell, 30, has played an important part in what looks increasingly likely to be a successful promotion bid at Elland Road, having found Premier League football hard to come by.
His contract at the Vitality Stadium expires next year, and Leeds will probably shop in a more lucrative market if they secure their top-flight return.
Rothwell will certainly garner plenty of interest as an experienced midfielder, but is well-acquainted with the South Coast from his ongoing Cherries days, as well as a loan spell with bitter rivals Southampton in their promotion campaign last term.
Rothwell cut-price fee could put him within Pompey’s reach
Rothwell has a stupendous CV as far as the EFL is concerned, with the midfield man on the cusp of back-to-back promotions to the Premier League.
While Bournemouth are excelling, they could look for a deeper squad should they qualify for Europe, but Rothwell is unlikely to come in and make a huge difference with the funds they expect to receive when they sell their prized assets.
Leeds, as mentioned, will be unafraid to splash out should they wrap up Premier League football, and Rothwell’s 12-month contract length means Portsmouth could possibly afford him.
| POS | Championship table | PLD | PTS | GD |
| 19 | PORTSMOUTH | 42 | 46 | -16 |
| 20 | Hull | 42 | 45 | -9 |
| 21 | Derby | 42 | 43 | -10 |
| 22 | Cardiff | 42 | 42 | -21 |
| 23 | Luton | 42 | 40 | -26 |
| 24 | Plymouth | 42 | 40 | -38 |
The danger is the competition. Rothwell’s promotion acumen is likely to alert Championship clubs with deeper pockets, potentially even Southampton themselves as they fall pathetically back into the second tier – still at risk of becoming the worst-performing team in Premier League history.
Central midfield is likely to be a priority position for arrivals on the coast this summer, with Freddie Potts expected to return to West Ham, Isaac Hayden back to Newcastle United, Andre Dozzell requiring new contract talks and Marlon Pack having now turned 34.
However, a second season guaranteed in the Championship should loosen the pursestrings at Fratton Park – and the Blues must take full advantage if they are to progress over the coming years.