John Mousinho ‘to make West Ham phone call’ to bring Freddie Potts back to Portsmouth
John Mousinho could make a last-ditch attempt to bring Freddie Potts back to Portsmouth.
Potts, 21, has been given a senior number at West Ham after a positive pre-season, off the back of a terrific campaign at Fratton Park.
This was no more than the Englishman deserves, with the midfielder shining under Mousinho throughout the last year in the Championship.
A particularly stellar Potts performance against Watford springs to mind, but now the Pompey faithful have been forced to begin life without the Hammers’ talent.
This could soon be set to change with just over a week until the 1 September transfer deadline, with a potential late swoop potentially in the pipeline for Potts.
This article contains exclusive comments given to Pompey News by former midfielder Martin Allen
John Mousinho to attempt new Freddie Potts deal with West Ham
This summer has largely been about finding an alternative for the 21-year-old, despite him leaving at the end of the campaign.
Even another West Ham talent, Lewis Orford, has been suggested for Portsmouth, although no deal has been agreed with the Irons to this point.
This has instead seen other midfield options like John Swift be signed at Fratton Park, although there could still be a chance to sign Potts this summer.
After the youngster was an unused substitute on the opening day of the season for the Hammers against Sunderland, the door could be open for a potential swoop.
This has seen former Pompey ace, Allen, speak out and suggest that Mousinho could make an attempt to land the midfielder in the coming week.
Speaking exclusively to Pompey News, Allen said: “I’m sure Mousinho will make the phone call about Potts.
“He’ll ring up and say, ‘Good afternoon, would it be possible to have Freddie Potts on loan for the season, please?’
“I’m sure he will make that call, but I think he’ll probably know what the answer from West Ham will be.
“‘Thank you for the enquiry, but no, he’s going to play regularly in our first team.’
“So, I don’t think Portsmouth will make any progress on that one.“
Freddie Potts could make dramatic return to Portsmouth
There is no doubt that the return of the former Wycombe Wanderers loanee would represent a real coup for Pompey this summer.
| Stat per 90 | Freddie Potts |
| Chances created | 0.97 |
| Successful dribbles | 0.68 |
| Duels won | 6.79 |
| Tackles won | 1.03 |
To this point, there was a genuine feeling that he would be a first-team regular at West Ham, but that didn’t look to be the case against Sunderland.
Having been left out at the Stadium of Light by Graham Potter, Potts won’t want to be on the bench watching football every week.
This could be the perfect storm for Mousinho to swoop in and mark the end of the summer window with the homecoming of the star loanee.
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