Hughes ‘absolutely’ wants talks for Portsmouth to sign potential Premier League ace
Rich Hughes will be extremely busy this summer, as has been the case in recent transfer windows as Portsmouth continue their transition to grow further in the Championship.
Pompey signed 14 first-team players last summer and a further eight in the January window – and the sporting director is certainly among those who deserves credit as the Blues got the survival mission wrapped up.
John Mousinho has already revealed the Eisners are likely to sanction a wider budget for signings in the upcoming window, in order to keep Portsmouth moving in the right direction.
Portsmouth want Rob Atkinson for keeps, Bristol City fate-dependent
Portsmouth secured a loan deal for Atkinson early in the winter window, a risk due to a two-year injury lay-off but a proven talent with whom Mousinho had crossed paths at Oxford United.
He was brought in from Bristol City, who despite their heavy defeat by Leeds United on Monday (28 April) remain in with a huge shout of the play-offs.
Should Liam Manning’s side reach the Premier League, Atkinson – whose contract at Ashton Gate expires next year – is likely to be dispensed with, possibly to Pompey’s advantage.
Atkinson’s standout moment came when his two goals – and one in his own net – contributed to a 2-2 draw with Derby County at Fratton Park (12 April) which took the Blues a step closer to beating the drop.
Hughes has admitted he would “absolutely” desire retaining the 6’6” centre-half, but it depends on Bristol City’s own fate and consequent stance on him.
“We’ve been delighted with Rob’s impact,” he told The News (29 April).
“Would we like to see him as a Pompey player in the future? Yes, we absolutely would. But he is Bristol City’s player and we completely respect that.
“When their season comes to an end – hopefully having reached the play-offs – we will have a conversation and see if it’s something which can work out for everyone.”
Atkinson has performed terrifically at Fratton Park
Atkinson‘s swing back into a footballing rhythm will benefit Bristol City should they fail to earn promotion, but it has certainly benefitted Portsmouth.
Despite a fresh injury problem occurring while on loan on the South Coast, Atkinson has performed superbly when called upon and briefly struck up an excellent partnership with Conor Shaughnessy, whose own injury woes have been severe this year.
| Rob Atkinson – Portsmouth | Total |
| Appearances | 13 |
| Starts | 12 |
| Clean sheets | 3 |
| Goal contributions (G/A) | 3 |
| Minutes played | 1,011 |
The 26-year-old’s future is unclear, but there is certainly one Championship club keen to offer him regular football.
While his fitness will always be a concern at the back of Mousinho‘s mind given the extent of the injury list this season, his commanding presence when fit and aerial ability in both boxes proves a huge attribute in a Championship side.