(Credit: Imago)

Portsmouth get Potts transfer answer after West Ham announcement

Rahul graduated with a degree in Sociology from the University of Edinburgh in 2021. He has since worked for Planet Sport, Snack Media, GRV Media, Goalkeeper.com, Villarreal USA and more, covering football across the world. A La Liga specialist, Rahul is based between London and Valencia, and he joined Breaking Media in March 2025 for the company's club websites.

Published on:

14 Jul 2025, 2:26 pm

Portsmouth signed Freddie Potts on loan from West Ham last year, and the midfielder thrived in the Championship.

Potts established himself as a key player last season and became a popular figure at Pompey, who were keen to keep him at the club.

Portsmouth secured Championship survival and Potts was a crucial part of the team at the base of midfield, and West Ham clearly liked what they saw.

It now appears that Potts will be given a chance with the Premier League side, and an announcement today all but confirms this.

Freddie Potts excelled at Portsmouth (Credit: imago)

Potts given senior squad number at West Ham

John Mousinho was keen on bringing Potts back after his successful loan, but this appears to have been ruled out of contention.

West Ham have now announced that Potts will take the number 32 shirt next season, and referred to him as a senior player.

Portsmouth loan signings 2024-25
Freddie Potts	returned to West Ham United
Issac Hayden	returned to Newcastle United
Rob Atkinson	returned to Bristol City
Adil Aouchiche	returned to Sunderland
Mark O’Mahony	returned to Brighton
Kaide Gordon	returned to Liverpool

Portsmouth had mixed success with their loanees last season

This indicates that he will be given a chance under Graham Potter at West Ham, and the 21-year-old will not be loaned back to Portsmouth this summer.

Potts made 38 appearances for Pompey last season, and fans will now be gutted that a return to Fratton Park no longer seems possible.

Mousinho was keen on bringnig Potts back (Credit: Imago)

Portsmouth should keep an eye on Potts

Despite this new announcement, Portsmouth should keep an eye on how Potts gets on at West Ham, given the chaotic season they just had.

If Potts is not given a proper chance in the first team, Portsmouth could attempt to bring him back on loan in January, and with West Ham seemingly wanting to sign a midfielder, this is within the realm of possibility.

The midfielder will be very tough to replace for Mousinho, but while fans would like to see him perform well in the Premier League, many will hope that he is overlooked by Potter and that this leads to an eventual return.

Portsmouth appear to be close to signing John Swift, but may also be keen on another defensive midfielder to help replace the West Ham loanee ahead of what promises to be a tough season.

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Freddie Potts