Portsmouth see off competition from EFL rivals for Makenzie Kirk deal as medical details shared
Makenzie Kirk is on the verge of moving to Portsmouth before the summer transfer window closes.
Kirk has previously been tipped to join Portsmouth, and this looks like it is close to becoming a reality.
The St. Johnstone striker impressed last season despite his side’s relegation from the Scottish Premiership, netting 11 goals.
John Mousinho looks set to welcome the youngster to Fratton Park to add depth to his forward line, with Colby Bishop already having one injury scare so far this season.
Portsmouth have Makenzie Kirk bid accepted
Portsmouth’s win against Preston ensures their fantastic start to the new Championship campaign continues, with Pompey notching seven points from their opening four matches.
- Despite this positive start, Pompey have not managed to score more than one goal in the five games they have played in all competitions this season
- Across their four league games, they have created eight big chances
- Kirk will be hoping he can be on the receiving end of some of these chances to help the Blues win games more convincingly
Kirk looks set to join this thriving squad under Mousinho, with reports from The Courier on 30 August claiming that the striker chose to move to Portsmouth instead of Peterborough United after both clubs had their bids accepted.
St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari confirmed that Kirk will head to the south coast to complete his medical on Sunday before a deal is inevitably completed.
Kirk was left out of St Johnstone’s squad that drew 1-1 with Morton as Valakari confirmed his departure after the game.
“It pretty much looks like he will move on. You can always want more, but you have to be realistic, this was a very good deal for us and a very good deal for the player,” Valakari said.
“It’s a good deal for Portsmouth as well. Strikers who score goals are a rare breed, and Makenzie is one of them.
“Last year, he scored 11 goals in a struggling team. I can see why a big club has taken this chance on him.”
- Read more: Portsmouth midfielder lined up for late move to German club after John Mousinho exit revelation
Pompey also need to keep hold of Josh Murphy
If Kirk is to hit the ground running on the south coast, having a winger of Murphy’s quality supplying him can only be helpful.
However, with Leicester City reportedly interested in Murphy, keeping the winger at Fratton Park could prove to be difficult.
The 30-year-old supplied a whopping 14 assists in the Championship last season, and his creativity would be a huge miss for Mousinho’s side and especially the strikers within it, who could be living off scraps in his absence.
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