.jpeg?width=1200&auto=webp&quality=75&trim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0&crop= "Pompey rivals join race for £6m Tottenham Hotspur talent as West Ham eye Everton raid - portsmouth.co.uk")
The latest transfer headlines involving Pompey’s Championship rivals.
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Pompey’s recruitment drive is ramping up as the summer window kicks into gear.
John Mousinho has already secured the signing of midfielder Odin Bailey, who arrived earlier this week on a free transfer following his departure from Stockport County.
That number is expected to increase in the coming days, though, with Marko Milovanovic and Rocco Shein poised to complete their big-money moves.
It has been reported that Milovanovic, also known as Marezi, is closing in on a €6m switch after the Blues reached an agreement with Spanish second-tier side UD Almeria.
Shein is also set to join as details over his transfer are finalised, with Mousinho’s men set to pay Norwegian side FK Fredrikstad £2.1m to land the midfielder.
The duo are set to be followed by Northern Ireland talent Eoin Kenny, who has had his £34,000 Dundalk release clause triggered by Pompey.
As the window ramps up at Fratton Park, gossip and speculation continues to do the rounds elsewhere in the Championship as clubs zero in on their targets.
Here are the latest transfer headlines involving the Blues’ second-tier rivals.
Southampton join race for Spurs ace
Southampton are preparing for life in the Championship once again after their failed play-off campaign.
Despite reaching the final at Wembley in May, Pompey’s south-coast rivals were booted out in place of Middlesbrough after being charged for spying on Boro ahead of their semi-final first leg.
An Independent Commission hearing later found Tonda Eckert’s side to have spied on fellow rivals Oxford United and Ipswich Town earlier in the season and have since been slapped with a four-point deduction ahead of next term.
Southampton, though, are pushing ahead with their summer recruitment as they look to make up their early-season deficit.
Transfer guru Alan Nixon has reported the Saints are tracking in-demand Tottenham Hotspur attacker Alfie Devine, who is said to have interest from the Championship and in Scotland.
It is believed Celtic are strong admirers of the 21-year-old, who enjoyed an outstanding loan stay with Preston North End last term.
The versatile forward netted eight goals and collected eight assists in 48 appearances for the Lilywhites, which also included a strike in their 1-0 win over Mousinho’s troops in February.
Paul Heckingbottom’s men were looking to utilise a clause in his loan deal and were working on a £6m offer to land his services on a permanent basis.
But that exclusivity period expired on July 1, opening the door to new competition, with Southampton and Celtic both now reportedly looking to capitalise.
Devine has made two senior appearances for Spurs but is heading into his final 12 months of his current terms in north London.
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West Ham eye Everton raid
West Ham are eyeing a sensational move for Everton winger Dwight McNeil, according to reports.
Sky Sports News have reported the Hammers are interested in the 26-year-old as they prepare for life back in the Championship.
Although Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are said to be tracking the forward, it is believed nothing more is advanced at this stage.
McNeil has netted 15 goals and provided 19 assists in 128 appearances for the Toffees, but failed to score in any of his 22 Premier League outings last term.
Both Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace were keen on the former England youth international in January, but a move failed to come to fruition.
West Ham are currently identifying potential replacements for Crysencio Summerville, who is expected to depart the London Stadium this summer.
Mousinho’s men, of course, kick start the new season with a trip to east London next month in the first round of the Carabao Cup.