Portsmouth ‘set to finalise two more transfers’ in July after Rich Hughes update
Portsmouth appear to be closing in on new transfers after what Rich Hughes said in an interview with the BBC recently.
Thus far, Pompey have just signed one first-team player, as Adrian Segecic arrived from Sydney FC.
John Mousinho will be looking for more players to strengthen the first team in the coming weeks.
Hughes’ comments mean new signings may be close
Recently, Hughes admitted that the club are working on up to four new transfers.
He said: “(There’s) 3 or 4 deals that we’re working really hard on and we know there’s a lot that we have to factor in.
“We’re hoping to have bodies through the door sooner rather than later. I know John wants to work with them, that’s our hope and expectation as well.
“We’re trying to get those players in as quickly as we can so they have as long on the training pitch to get used to the group, get used to the coaching staff and have a long time to adapt before the season starts.”
Hughes’ statement about working on four deals with urgency to integrate players before the 2025–26 Championship season strongly suggests that at least two signings are likely before the end of July.
His emphasis on getting bodies through the door soon reflects a proactive approach to ensure new players have ample time to adapt to Mousinho’s tactics and gel with the squad during pre-season, which is critical for a team aiming to improve on their 16th-place finish.
Portsmouth must bring in new players through the door quickly
The Championship season starts early August and Hughes’ focus on players acclimating to the coaching staff and group dynamics underscores the need for early signings to maximise training time.
Given the transfer window’s structure, July is a pivotal period for finalising deals.
Hughes’ comments indicate that these deals are likely in advanced stages, such as final negotiations or contract discussions, as he expresses confidence in imminent arrivals.
The mention of “a lot that we have to factor in” suggests complexities like transfer fees, player contracts, or agent talks, but Portsmouth’s prior activity, like signing Segecic, shows they can close deals efficiently.
With only one signing so far this summer, the urgency to bolster positions like centre-back and midfield, as previously identified by Hughes, supports the likelihood of at least two signings being finalised by late July to meet pre-season integration goals.
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