Panagiotis Kikianis tipped to be next Portsmouth signing from the A-League amid £3.5m claim
Panagiotis Kikianis could become the latest A-League star to be targeted by Portsmouth.
Adrian Segecic has become the latest to join John Mousinho’s squad, and has now become the fourth Australian to join Pompey on the South Coast.
The frontman boasts an impressive goal record from his time in his homeland and joins Jacob Farrell, Hayden Matthews and Thomas Waddingham to have crossed the globe to move to Fratton Park.
Pompey could now have their sights set on Kikianis, who has starred at the heart of the defence for Adelaide United this season.
Kikianis is tipped to become the latest Australian to join Pompey
Hayden Matthews showed signs of his promise in the second half of Portsmouth’s season, and they have now been tipped to add another Australian centre back to their ranks in Kikianis.
The 20-year-old enjoyed something of a breakthrough season in the A-League last term, as he started 22 games for Adelaide and became a key cog in their defensive unit.
His form last season has resulted in Kikianis topping a list made by the A-Leagues journalist James Dodd on 20 June, detailing five more players from the league who Portsmouth should target.
The centre back’s form last season also saw him play an important role in the Australia’s triumph at the U20 Asian Cup, and he could now be ready for a move to England off the back of that.
Kikianis is described as a powerful defender who is capable with the ball at his feet, which should make him an ideal fit for the Championship.
Kikianis is outlined as the most valuable player in the A-League at the moment. He is valued at roughly £3.5million, according to the CIES Football Observatory.
Portsmouth need to explore other avenues for players as well
So far, none of Pompey’s Australians have really been able to establish themselves at Fratton Park.
They have largely been on the fringes of Mousinho’s squad, and have mainly received limited opportunities. It’s clear that the club will need to be patient with their development as players if they are to see a return on their investment later down the line.
However, what that does mean, is that it is imperative that Pompey explore plenty of other options to sign players at the same time.
It is good that Portsmouth are investing in their future, but that should come as no compromise to their immediate priority of retaining their Championship status. Unproven youngsters with no experience of English football are unlikely to help them achieve that at the moment, so it will be crucial that they also look elsewhere this summer.