Portsmouth ‘find Atkinson replacement already’ as club could be forced into deal
Portsmouth could be in line to find an instant alternative to Rob Atkinson after his loan ended.
Pompey utilised the 26-year-old throughout the second half of the season as they avoided relegation from the Championship.
Signing him on a temporary deal from Bristol City proved to be an excellent piece of business for John Mousinho’s back line.
As a result, it is a blow to lose him at the end of his agreed spell, but the PO4 outfit could be in line to bring in an ideal replacement.
Portsmouth eye Atkinson replacement
It is bound to be a busy summer on the south coast after six first teamers have already made their way out of the doors.
This could leave Mousinho with sizable gaps in his squad when he returns for pre-season which would certainly need to be filled.
One of those is in the centre-back roles with Atkinson’s planned return to Ashton Gate leaving Regan Poole and Conor Shaughnessy as the main senior centre-back options.
This could see Pompey make a swoop to sign Sutton United youngster Jack Taylor after a positive stint in the National League this campaign.
| Stat (National League 24/25) | Jack Taylor |
| Appearances | 13 |
| Minutes played | 1063 |
EFL Analysis reported on 12 May that the 20-year-old is of interest to a host of Premier League and Championship sides with Portsmouth in among them.
A deal could be made easier as the U’s missed out on promotion back to the EFL with the defender out of contract at the end of the season.
With that in mind and the lure of moving to a professional outfit looks to be enough to tempt him into a move, which could suit Pompey down to the ground.
Portsmouth could pull off coup with Taylor
A young player from non-league doesn’t get linked to sides like West Ham, Tottenham and Brentford if there isn’t a special talent there.
If the Englishman was to opt into a switch to Fratton Park, it would prove just how far Pompey have come in a short time under Mousinho.
Taylor could replicate the output of another young talent like Freddie Potts who the 39-year-old head coach certainly got the best out of.
The quality of this signing would only be made to look better if the youngster could fill the boots of Atkinson after his positive loan stint.