Portsmouth eye Bursik transfer with Fratton Park exit now on cards
Portsmouth’s squad seemed well-stacked with goalkeepers at the start of the summer.
John Mousinho had Nicolas Schmid as his number one, with Ben Killip, Jordan Archer and Toby Steward as back-ups. If anything, there were too many.
However, Steward has been released on a season-long loan, while Archer is now being targeted by other EFL clubs.
This has tempted Mousinho to see what other goalkeepers are available in the transfer window.
Former Stoke goalkeeper Bursik in Mousinho’s crosshairs
Mousinho is adamant that he wants four goalkeepers in his Portsmouth squad.
He has taken Stuart Moore and Alfie Whiteman on trial for that reason. Whiteman played 45 minutes in the friendly against Crawley on Saturday (19 July).
However, a report from The News suggests that Mousinho is now eyeing former Stoke goalkeeper Josef Bursik.
Bursik is currently at Club Brugge, although he is out of favour there. He spent last season on loan at Hibernian, where he made 17 appearances before dropping to the bench.
It’s believed Mousinho is interested in pursuing another goalkeeper so that he can allow Archer to leave. League Two club Salford are said to be the most interested in signing him.
Portsmouth still need midfielders and strikers
Mousinho’s pursuit of a third or fourth-choice goalkeeper is unlikely to excite too many Portsmouth fans.
The Pompey squad is still noticeably short of midfielders and back-ups to strikers Colby Bishop and Thomas Waddingham.
| Goalkeeper | Contract situation |
| Nicolas Schmid | Under contract |
| Ben Killip | Under contract |
| Jordan Archer | Under contract |
| Toby Steward | Under contract (loaned to St Johnstone) |
| Alfie Whiteman | On trial |
| Stuart Moore | On trial |
The pursuit of new attacking players becomes more important for Pompey fans as the season draws closer. It could become even more urgent if it’s true that Callum Lang wants to join Preston.
It has emerged that Portsmouth’s Championship rivals have bid £2million for Lang, and fans on social media seem convinced that he’ll eventually leave.
That would leave Pompey even shorter in attack.
Mousinho has developed a reputation as a savvy operator in the transfer window, so fans can only hope that he has a cunning plan up his sleeve.
Otherwise, he’s in danger of being underprepared for the new Championship season. There are now less than three weeks until the opening league fixture.
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