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Minhyeok Yang has scored two goals and registered one assist during his loan stay at Pompey.

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Real Madrid have been credited with an interest in Pompey loanee Minhyeok Yang.

It’s been a bright start to the campaign on the south coast for the 19-year-old, who arrived from Tottenham Hotspur in August on a season-long deal.

The winger has amassed 14 outings for the Blues in all competitions to date, which has reaped two goals and one assist.

Real Madrid interested in Pompey loanee Minhyeok Yang

Indeed, his displays at Fratton Park haven’t gone unnoticed, with Real Madrid reportedly admirers of Minhyeok.

Spanish news outlet Defensa Central have claimed the Pompey loanee is being ‘closely watched’ by Los Blancos due to his ‘immense potential’.

The report suggests Xabi Alonso’s men are ready to make a 7m euro (£6.1m) offer to Spurs for the South Korean youth international - although the article is unclear if they will make a move in January.

Minhyeok only arrived in England in January after an outstanding maiden campaign in senior football for Gangwon FC. The forward netted 12 goals and provided six assists during his 38 appearances during the 2024 K League campaign.

After penning a six-year deal in north London at the start of 2025, the young talent spent the second half of last term on loan at QPR, where he flourished in the Championship.

The winger is yet to make a first-team outing for Thomas Frank’s side, but was a prominent fixture on the club’s pre-season program in the summer.

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John Mousinho on Minhyeok Yang’s Pompey stay

The 19-year-old returned to English football’s second division in August, where he sealed a season-long loan switch to Fratton Park.

Minhyeok has appeared 14 times for the Blues in the opening four months of the campaign, which has seen him score on two occasions as well as registering one assist.

His performances have been noticed by Mousinho, who admitted the tricky winger has so far ‘exceeded expectations’ on the south coast.

The Blues boss told The News at the start of December: ‘I think so (his loan period has gone as expected). I think he probably has exceeded expectations, with the way he came in and did as well as he did - especially in Josh Murphy's absence.

‘We’ve still got very high hopes for Minhyeok, and we’re really pleased with where he’s at.

‘I think he can definitely influence games off the bench, but he’s done both. He started games and also influenced things off the bench. At times, he’s started and looked very bright for us.’

The South Korea international has made his mark since moving to Fratton Park from Spurs - with John Mousinho now adding his latest thoughts on the former QPR man.

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John Mousinho believes Min-hyeok Yang’s Pompey stay has exceeded expectations after his return to the starting XI.

And the Blues boss has expressed his satisfaction at the Spurs loanee’s contribution to his side’s season, ahead of the January transfer window.

Pompey boss on Spurs loanee: ‘Very high hopes for Min-hyeok’

Yang came into Mousinho’s team for Saturday’s abandoned clash as Charlton, as he started his first game since the 4-0 humbling against Birmingham City at the start of last month.

The 19-year-old produced some bright and breezy early moments before the game was halted in the 12th minute for a medical emergency, with it later confirmed a home supporter had tragically died.

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Yang has now made 12 Blues appearances since a loan deal was agreed in August, comprising eight starts and four outings off the bench.

The South Korea international has returned two goals and an assist in that time, with those contributions arriving in a three-game sequence against Watford, Middlesbrough and Leicester.

Spurs will have the opportunity to recall Yang next month, with the days counting down until the opening of the January transfer window in just over three weeks.

But Mousinho is certainly happy with what the former QPR man is offering his group, while believing he is getting the kind of game exposure and development his parent club would hope for.

With Pompey seeing forward options returning to the set-up ahead of a busy Christmas schedule, the Blues head coach sees the attacker influencing his side both as a starter and coming off the bench.

Mousinho said: ‘I think so (his loan period has gone as expected). I think he probably has exceeded expectations, with the way he came in and did as well as he did - especially in Josh Murphy's absence.

‘We’ve still got very high hopes for Min-hyeok, and we’re really pleased with where he’s at.

‘I think he can definitely influence games off the bench, but he’s done both. He started games and also influenced things off the bench. At times, he’s started and looked very bright for us.’

Three loanees whose future will be under January spotlight

Yang is one of three Pompey loanees whose ongoing involvement will be up for consideration in the new year.

Ipswich’s Conor Chaplin and Swansea City’s Florian Bianchini are the other options, with space available for further temporary additions if the trio were to remain at PO4 - with five loanees allowed in a matchday squad.

There was a huge fanfare for Chaplin’s homecoming, though the academy graduate’s stay has not gone as well as would’ve been hoped for to date. Chaplin has failed to produce a goal contribution so far, though the 28-year-old was named in Mousinho’s starting line-up for the first time in around a month at Charlton.

Meanwhile, Bianchini’s time at Pompey has not produced the impact the Frenchman would’ve desired. The 24-year-old has mustered a single assist from six starts and five substitute appearances, with Bianchini unavailable tomorrow as the Blues travel to south Wales to take on his parent club.

Josh Oluwayemi registered nine appearances during an 18 month-stay at Fratton Park.

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A former Pompey talent’s career is transforming his career in a surprise new destination.

Josh Oluwayemi arrived at Fratton Park in 2022 under Danny Cowley, having departed Tottenham Hotspur looking to establish himself in the EFL.

But after just nine first-team outings for the Blues, the young shot stopper departed PO4 in February 2024, marking a disappointing end to an 18-month stay.

After a stint in Finland’s top flight with FC Lahti, Oluwayemi is now flourishing with A-League outfit Wellington Phoenix.

The ex-Fratton keeper is enjoying an outstanding stay with the Nix and grabbed the headlines over the weekend after his heroics in the New Zealand derby against Auckland.

The ‘exceptional’ ex-Pompey man grabbing headlines Down Under

The Spurs academy graduate came to the rescue for Giancarlo Italiano’s side where he amassed 10 saves as well as two penalty stops.

It continues his fine spell in goal for Wellington, who currently sit seventh in the A-League after the opening seven matches of the campaign.

And the Nix boss has praised Oluwayemi’s contributions this term, branding the former Pompey man as ‘exceptional’.

He said: ‘The one-on-one was exceptional. It was a top save at a crucial moment. The one before half-time I think he should make, but he got down well.

‘Joshy is a good goalkeeper, he’s got big saves in him and he’s very capable of making those saves.’

Following his arrival in August 2024, Oluwayemi has featured 24 times for the Kiwi outfit and signed a new deal, which will keep him with the Nix until the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

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John Mousinho on Josh Oluwayemi’s Pompey departure

Having arrived from Spurs after a period on trial under Cowley in 2022, the 24-year-old was second-choice behind Josh Griffiths in the Blues’ goalkeeping department, with his sole outings initially coming in the EFL Trophy.

Oluwayemi would get his chance between the sticks for Pompey in League One during a disappointing 3-0 defeat away at Bolton Wanderers in January 2023 under interim boss Simon Bassey.

The keeper featured just three more times for the Blues under John Mousinho before a frustrating loan stint with Chelmsford at the start of the 2023-24 campaign saw him depart PO4 on a permanent basis on February 1, 2024.

And the head coach admitted at the time a departure from Fratton was the ‘best thing’ for his career.

Mousinho said in January 2024: ‘Nothing is finalised at the moment, we are just working to make sure that both parties are happy with the terms.

‘It is amicable and I think it’s the best thing for Josh. The big game for us at the moment is to make sure he progresses in his career and moves on and I think this is the best possible way to do it.

‘If he has an opportunity to go elsewhere then we’ll do everything we can to make that happen.

‘It’s about opportunities. Josh’s opportunities here this year have been limited with how well Will has done. It’s very difficult for him to see that progression at this football club - and we don’t want to hold anyone’s future up.

‘I am sure Josh will go on and have a great career and that’s what it’s about for us, making sure he progresses down the line and makes a success of himself.’

Owner Michael Eisner has been in Pompey this week as part of his latest planned visit from the United States.

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Pompey chairman Michael Eisner has reiterated his love for Fratton Park during his latest visit to the south coast.

The 83-year-old is in the middle of a planned trip to PO4 from his LA base and was in attendance for Wednesday’s stalemate with Wrexham.

The American businessman has been full of admiration for the Blues’ famous old home throughout his eight years at the helm.

Eisner once again lavished praise on the ‘Old Girl’, which has a capacity of 20,927, after a trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in midweek to watch Spurs’ Champions League clash with Copenhagen.

The state-of-the art arena, which opened in 2019, holds more than 62,000 supporters and is classed as one of the most modern in world football.

The Blues’ chairman has spent more than £20m redeveloping Pompey’s home, which included work in rebuilding the South Stand, Milton End re-profiling the North Stand lower and the creating of the fan zone.

Although it has come at a cost, for Eisner it’s been a labour of love and has taken pride on the significant work undertaken at PO4.

And during his latest visit to England, his visit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium reaffirmed his vision of maintaining Fratton Park’s unique and historic feel.

Michael Eisner’s love affair of Fratton Park.

Speaking on Pompey+ ahead of Wednesday’s draw with Wrexham, he said: ‘I love being back here. Fratton Park is fantastic.

‘I went to the Tottenham game (Spurs v Copenhagen) on Tuesday night, which is a great stadium, very effective, the food and all but it doesn’t have the fabulous feeling of history, beauty and uniqueness. So I’m very happy to be back here.

‘It feels like eight minutes (having been Pompey chairman for eight years). When we win it’s a standout moment but when we lose it ruins the weekend.’

I think we’ve had some great moments and all of the work we’ve done behind the scenes which we don’t talk about very much has been fun to renovate this great stadium and to bring it back to a contemporary usage.

‘To rebuild this stand (South Stand) and the Milton End, all those things add up to a great experience.

‘One thing I enjoy doing off the pitch is making it a great experience. The fan zone just makes it exciting to be here and we’re still working on that.’

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Pompey’s work on Hilsea training base

Although there has been significant work done at Fratton Park, Eisner and Tornante have splashed the cash in improving facilities at the Blues’ Hilsea training base.

And the chairman has explained the importance of an improved working environment for players and coaching staff.

‘It’s unbelievably important. Yes the number one thing is to win - but I believe if you have an environment that is pleasant even if you lose is not the end of the world.’

Alfie Whiteman spent time on trial with Pompey during pre-season as he looked to earn a Fratton deal.

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Former Pompey triallist Alfie Whiteman has made a shock career decision- just months after training with the Blues.

The goalkeeper has announced he has hung up his gloves, aged 27, to pursue a fresh start in film production.

The shot stopper, who departed Spurs in the summer, spent a short period on trial with John Mousinho’s men in July as he went in search of a new footballing home, having spent 17 years in north London.

Alfie Whiteman’s Pompey trial

Whiteman featured twice for the Blues, with outings coming in a 2-0 pre-season triumph over Woking, as well as a win against Crawley in a behind-closed-doors friendly.

But the Europa League winner departed PO4 ahead of the season-opener against Oxford United, with the head coach admitting after a goalless draw with the Hawks that he was no longer training with Pompey.

Mousinho told The News at the time: ‘Alfie’s no longer with us on trial and he hasn’t been with us this week, but we’ll be keeping a keen eye on where Alfie ends up.’

In a later interview with The Athletic, Whiteman claimed he turned down the offer of an initial six-month deal to remain at Fratton Park and compete with Nicolas Schmid, Ben Killip and Jordan Archer for the No1 jersey.

The keeper, though, has made it clear his mind was already set on a change of career, which has since seen him turn his attention to the film and production industry.

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Why Alfie Whiteman called time on football career

After breaking through the ranks at Spurs, aged 10, the Londoner - who was capped 17 times for England at youth level - registered just one senior appearance for Tottenham during his 16-year association with the Premier League outfit and departed after their Europa League success in May.

Since then, Whiteman has lifted the lid on the reasons why he opted to bring his footballing career to a premature end - just months after his Pompey trial

He told The Athletic: ‘There was a weekend when I went home, and I started contemplating all my options. I had other things I’ve been building on the side and it was more exciting to me. To put it plainly, I saw happiness in these other avenues.

‘It got to this point where I’d rather end this on my terms than go to a club that I just didn’t want to go to.

‘When I was younger, I always said I didn’t want to play in the lower leagues; it was always about the highest level. Otherwise, I’d rather do something else. So I just took this step into the unknown, and I was like, “Oh, holy s***. I’m actually doing it.”.

‘Anything can happen. I’m in complete control of my life, and it’s really exciting and really scary.’

Whiteman has since signed for Somesuch, a film and production company, with the former Spurs man specialising in photography.

After departing Pompey in July, the keeper admitted he has not watched any football since - but is planning to film a documentary on the World Cup in the United States next year.

In the summer, Pompey added Josef Bursik to their goalkeeping pool, with the former Club Brugge man currently John Mousinho’s preferred stand-in for Schmid, who is currently out with a broken hand.

The Spurs arrival is adjusting to life in England after a Championship loan at QPR - but now his promising career has lift-off at Fratton Park.

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John Mousinho lauded Minhyeok Yang’s emergence as a Championship threat after a week to savour.

And the Pompey boss expressed his anticipation at the Spurs loanee having the self-belief to now kick on from a breakthrough period in his young career.

Tottenham arrival’s week to savour at Pompey

Yang bagged the winner as the Blues took the unbeaten scalp of Championship leaders Middlesbrough at Fratton Park on Saturday.

It was the South Korean international’s second goal in as many games, arriving in his third start on the spin after his full league bow at Ipswich last weekend.

Mousinho highlighted how the 19-year-old is still adjusting to not only a new football club, but new culture and level in the second tier of the English game.

Now the challenge is for the winger to bottle his growing self-belief and kick on from this point .

Mousinho said: ‘(It’s been) a brilliant week (for Yang). He’s made his full Pompey league debut against Ipswich, he didn’t get his goal but played okay there.

‘Then he was excellent the other night against Watford, but I thought he was even better against Middlesbrough. So that’s three starts in a week, two goals and he’s rightfully receiving all the plaudits.

‘He’s been in the country for less than a year, he’s new in the country and still learning the language.

‘He’s coming down to Portsmouth for the first time and trying to settle in. It’s a brilliant group to come into because the lads look after everyone so well.

‘But he would’ve come in and hardly played a league minute up to the Ipswich game. After his cameo against Oxford, his half hour there, he hadn’t played in the league at all until we started him against Ipswich.

‘I was very, very pleased for Minhyeok across the week, he deserves it, and I hope he’s very confident now going into the rest of the season.’

Yang’s progress helping to fill Murphy attacking void for Pompey

Mousinho underlined how victory over Middlesbrough arrived without arguably his most potent attacking threat in Josh Murphy. The standout winger was missing as he recovers from a niggling ankle issue, with Yang filling his berth in the side.

The Pompey boss was particularly pleased his side are finding a way to pick up points without Murphy, something they often struggled with last term.

He added: ‘It’s important we find ways to win and compete without Josh.‘It’s probably something we didn’t do particularly well last season, when he was missing at the start of the year.

‘We’re hoping to have him back pretty soon and have that fierce competition at the top end of the pitch. Minhyeok has stepped into the void and been excellent.’

The South Korean international has made three appearances for Pompey since his summer arrival

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John Mousinho is convinced Pompey are tantalisingly close to seeing the best of Minhyeok Yang.

Although he admits the Spurs loanee needs to ‘get better in a lot of areas’ following a low-key start to his Fratton Park stay.

The 19-year-old was handed a first Championship start for the Blues in Saturday’s trip to Ipswich, operating on the left flank with Josh Murphy still sidelined by an ankle issue.

It represented only a third Pompey outing for Yang, who had not appeared since lining up against Reading in a Carabao Cup defeat six weeks earlier.

And, ahead of Wednesday’s clash with Watford (7.45pm), Mousinho believes there are now encouraging signs the South Korean international is beginning to find his feet with the Blues.

Portsmouth boss: I’m looking for a cutting edge

He told The News: ‘Minhyeok put himself into a really good position for that chance, it’s a brilliant run and a great ball as well from Segs. He does Darnell Furlong for pace for, but he doesn't necessarily have that clinical edge in front of goal at the moment.

‘Maybe it was because of the nature of the game, the fact we were setting up to hit them on the counter and maybe he didn’t expect to have a chance to do that.

‘He will definitely learn from it and it was really nice to see him in that position, nice to see him having a few good touches.

‘He needs to get better in a lot of areas, but certainly it was a step up in terms of how dangerous he looks compared to the Reading game.

‘I’m looking for that cutting edge, first of all. Minhyeok also put in a couple of good balls in the first half, he has that drop of the shoulder, he’s not necessarily going to be out-and-out pace down the line, but he can beat a man in different ways.

‘I just want to see more of that attacking output. We definitely saw it last season when he was playing for QPR, I thought he was excellent in spells for them. Once he gets going we will see a load more of him.

‘He’s going to take a couple of games to get going. Hopefully he’s had those two games and we are close now to seeing the best of Minhyeok.’

Arrived in the Premier League with Spurs in January

Yang arrived at Spurs from Gangwon FC in January and was swiftly loaned out to QPR for the remainder of the season to aid his development.

Aged 18 at the time, he subsequently made 14 appearances and scored twice for the Championship club, including featuring as a second-half substitute against Pompey in February.

Although he has still to make his Spurs first-team debut and is now on a season-long stay at Fratton Park.

‘A baptism of fire’

Mousinho added: ’He’s only been in this country since January and it was a baptism of fire going straight out on loan to QPR.

‘Minhyeok is one of those players who’s had a bit of a stop-start pre-season. He has been with the first-team a fair bit at Tottenham and probably not necessarily used as someone they were thinking of having there longer term, they wanted to loan him out.

‘Sometimes, when you are in that position, training can be a bit stop-start. The under-21s a lot of the time are used for the first-team’s benefit, which is absolutely fine and how it should be.

‘But it’s not necessarily the pre-season he might have had should he have been involved with the first-team.’

Jermain Defoe scored 17 goals in 36 appearances for Pompey between 2008 and 2009.

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Former Pompey striker Jermain Defoe has backed his former side to come out on top in Sunday’s south-coast derby.

And the 42-year-old has given an intriguing insight into how he prepared for a high-level occasion during his playing days.

John Mousinho’s men make the trip across the M27 to St Marys to face the Saints in the first meeting between the two sides for six years.

It’s a fixture which is wetting the appetite of fans, pundits and players alike as the two fierce rivals once again battle for south-coast supremacy.

Although Defoe never appeared in a derby during his 12-month stay at Fratton Park between 2008 and 2009, the striker recalled a conversation with Harry Redknapp which enlightened him over the hatred between the two clubs.

And the former England international, who netted 17 goals in 36 appearances for the Blues, has backed his former side to come out on top at St Marys.

Jermain Defoe backs Pompey against Southampton

He told BBC Radio Solent: ‘I remember having a conversation with Harry Redknapp about it. He loved them (the derby) but it’s definitely up there.

Although I never played in one, my time at Portsmouth meant I got a few comments from Southampton fans.

‘I know how big that derby is and I’ll be looking out for the result. I hope they do well to be honest.

‘It’s one of those games where, like any derby, you should get the best version of every player. Bragging rights for the fans and the players and everyone involved in that.

‘I feel like sometimes in derbies, regardless of form, it’s a one off game. My affiliation with the football club, I played for Pompey for a year, we had an amazing team and Fratton Park was always rocking. Even when I played for Tottenham and other clubs, going to Fratton Park was always difficult.

‘Southampton are a fantastic football club. I’ll look out for the result and obviously being an ex-Pompey player I hope they win.

While Defoe never lined-up for Pompey against Southampton, the former striker is well-accustomed to bitter rivals having featured for the likes of Rangers, Spurs and Sunderland.

And the former Fratton Park frontman has given an intriguing insight into how he used to prepar for a derby.

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Jermain Defoe reveals key derby preparation

‘I tried to play the game and not the occasion. I know it’s boring and you hear that a lot but you have to play the game and just try to prepare yourself like it’s any other game.

‘It’s the biggest game of the season, of course, in terms of fixtures, but at the same time I always tried to stay relaxed and play the game and not the occasion. When you’ve performed and you’ve won, then you can really celebrate.

‘Obviously the Tottenham - Arsenal game, Sunderland - Newcastle and the Old Firms between Rangers and Celtic were always big games.

‘For players, you will always try to find a bit more because of the size and the magnitude of the game. At the same time, you have to just play the game because it can get the better of you.’

He spent time with Pompey this summer before moving on - now the keeper is said to be interesting the SPL and French Ligue 1 sides. Blackburn Rovers, Oxford United and Stoke City were all said to be keen on the triallist.

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Scottish Premier League outfit Aberdeen are keen on former Pompey triallist Alfie Whiteman, according to reports.

And French top-flight side Nice are said to be trailing the keeper, who spent time with the Blues in pre-season, after leaving Spurs.

Aberdeen and Ligue 1 side Nice on former Spurs man’s trail

Whiteman was a surprise face joining John Mousinho’s group in July, as they got their warm-up games underway.

The 26-year-old featured in the 2-0 opening success at Woking and then played the second half of the 1-0 behind-closed-doors victory against Crawley.

Pompey opted against offering the Londoner a deal, however, with Whiteman still on the hunt for a new employer.

Aberdeen are said to be weighing up handing the 6ft 2in man a contract, according to SportsBoom, with that meaning he would link up with former Blues men Kusini Yengi and Adil Aouchiche at Pittodrie. The report says Blackburn, Oxford United and Stoke City were among those also showing interest in the keeper this summer.

Whiteman had a long association with Spurs, joining their academy a decade ago and then sealing a three-year deal three years later.

He picked up just a single senior appearance in that time for the Londoners, coming off the bench in the Europa League against Ludogorets in 2020.

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Whiteman picked up a medal for being part of the Spurs squad though, as they won the Europa League against Manchester United in May. That meant he left the club on a high this summer, as he searches for the playing time he’s not managed to pick up in his career to date.

Pompey turned their attentions elsewhere this summer for a new keeper, after Isle of Wight man Stuart Moore linked up with Mousinho’s squad for their pre-season training camp in Slovakia.

Moore moved on and was handed a deal with League One outfit Wycombe, before Mousinho confirmed Whiteman had done likewise towards the end of July.

Pompey keeper department strong after Bursik deal

He said after the 0-0 draw with Hawks: ‘Alfie is no longer with us on trial, and he hasn’t been with us this week, but we’ll be keeping a close eye on where Alfie ends up.’

Pompey instead turned to former Stoke man Josef Bursik to bolster the goalkeeping department, as he arrived from Belgian side Club Brugge.

The News first reported the Blues’ interest in the former England age-group keeper in July, before he became the club’s first deadline day capture.

Mousinho said of Bursik: ‘He’s someone who showed a lot of promise as a youngster and has played plenty of Championship games. He really bolsters the options we’ve got in the goalkeeping department and is a target that’s been in our sights for a while now, so we’re delighted to get the deal done.”

Bursik joins Nico Schmid, Jordan Archer and Ben Killip as Pompey’s current goalkeeper options, with emerging talent Toby Steward impressing on loan at St Johnstone in the Scottish Championship.

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Portsmouth rivals eyeing shock move for ex-Tottenham Hotspur favourite as Blackburn Rovers plot deal for defender

The latest transfer headlines involving Pompey’s Championship rivals.

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It was a busy climax to the transfer window for Pompey, who added four new faces to the squad.

Franco Umeh, Josef Bursik, Makenzie Kirk and Conor Chaplin all sealed moves to Fratton Park on deadline day, joining Adrian Segecic, Mark Kosznovszky, Luke Le Roux, John Swift, Florian Bianchini, Minhyeok Yang and Josh Knight who arrived earlier in the summer.

Meanwhile, Abdoulaye Kamara and Tom McIntyre both departed before the end of the market, sealing switches to Saarbrucken and Bradford City respectively.

Although the window has slammed shut, clubs can still bolster their ranks with the additions of free agents.

And that is what a number of Championship sides are looking to do, with clubs eyeing further additions.

Here are the latest transfer headlines involving Pompey’s second-tier rivals.

Swans swoop for Alli

Swansea City are believed to be eyeing a swoop to land former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli.

That’s according to talkSPORT football correspondent Ben Jacobs, who has claimed the Swans’ co-owner Luka Modric is in contact with a number of experienced free agents over a switch to South Wales.

It has been suggested a move could be on the cards over the next few weeks following the 29-year-old’s departure from Italian outfit Como.

Alli has struggled for game time and minutes over the past 12 months and registered just one outing for the Serie A side during his short stint with the club.

The ex-Everton man fell down the pecking order with boss Cesc Fabregas and mutually agreed to terminate his contract earlier this week.

The 37-cap England international could be given a pathway back into English football, with Jacobs suggesting a shock Championship switch could be a possibility.

He said on talkSPORT: ‘I think Swansea City is going to be really interesting because Luka Modric is now part of that ownership group. From what I’m told, he’s having conversations with slightly older players and free agents to try and lure them over there.

‘It wouldn’t at all surprise me from what I here that Swansea City and Dele Alli becomes a thing over the course of the next few weeks.

‘I think Dele Alli won’t get an opportunity in my opinion in a big five league after it didn’t work out at Como but maybe a Championship club on a short-term deal.’

Swansea have had a solid start to the season to date and sit level on points with Pompey after the opening four Championship matches.

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Rovers keen on defender

Blackburn Rovers are reportedly keen on signing defender Craig Dawson.

Alan Nixon has suggested Rovers are looking to strengthen their ranks at the heart of the backline, with the 35-year-old believed to be wanted at Ewood Park.

The centre-back is said to have been weighing up his options following his departure from Wolves at the end of last season.

Valerian Ismael’s men lost forgotten former Pompey loanee Dom Hyam on deadline day, who sealed a £2m move to Wrexham.

That has left Rovers with just two options at the centre of defence, with Dawson admired in Lancashire.

Blackburn have had a tough start to the campaign, losing three of their first four Championship matches and sit four points behind the Blues.

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