Portsmouth insider names player Mousinho likes as Potts replacement - Exclusive

Portsmouth are working hard behind the scenes to build a squad capable of thriving in the Championship next season.

The Blues finished 16th this season, but it's widely accepted that they'll need to sign a few new faces to avoid a relegation scrap next year.

Manager John Mousinho is particularly keen to recruit some central midfielders now that Freddie Potts and Isaac Hayden have returned to their parent clubs.

Darke tips Charlie Savage to thrive in Portsmouth's midfield

Charlie Savage is one player who has been linked with a move to Pompey in this summer's transfer window.

The Reading playmaker, son of former Wales international Robbie, made a huge impact in League One this season, registering five goals and nine assists.

And commentator Ian Darke believes that the 22-year-old has all the attributes to succeed at the highest level of the game.

In an exclusive interview with Pompey News, he said: "He's a lovely passer of the ball and he comes up with a goal or two.

"The nine assists [for Reading this past season] tells me something. He's very good at picking a pass. He can weight a pass, hit cross-field balls, he's got good instincts. So it wouldn't be the worst bit of business.

"It's probably that he needs a bit of that grittier side of his dad's personality just to make him more complete, but I think Mousinho does quite like him. I've talked about the need to replace Freddie Potts; maybe he's the player they're looking at."

Transfer fee could be the stumbling block that prevents Savage move to Portsmouth

Darke has known Savage since he was a teenager, having worked in the media with his father Robbie.

The youngster pledged his future to Reading at the end of this season, but everything can change when the right comes knocking at the door.

It's believed that Reading would want at least £2million for him, and that could be the stumbling block that prevents him from moving to Fratton Park.

Blackburn and Birmingham City are also both interested in Savage, and these two clubs would have the resources to stump up that type of transfer fee.

Indeed, Darke conceded that Portsmouth would be more likely to look to the foreign market for transfers as this tends to provide better value for money.

Alternatively, a loan move for 18-year-old Crystal Palace playmaker Hindolo Mustapha has also been proposed.