New deal for Marcus but the transfer talk lingers

FORMER Burton Albion favourite Marcus Harness has agreed an extended deal with Portsmouth – but speculation about his future will not go away.

Pompey have taken up the option to extend the winger’s contract for a fourth year after he scored 12 goals last season in League One and added seven assists.

He has made 134 appearances and scored 35 goals for Portsmouth since joining from Burton in the summer of 2019 and manager Danny Cowley has spoken of his delight at Harness staying.

“We want to keep together as many of the group that finished the season as possible,” said Cowley.

“In all of the successful teams I’ve worked with in the past, continuity has been a major factor in that.

“We’re delighted to exercise the option for Marcus and it was always going to be something that we took up.

“He’s a key player in our team and has brought goals and assists, while he’s equally adept in a number of attacking positions. We know that Marcus has the pace, athleticism and end product to shine beyond this level and he’s a real asset for our club.”

Cowley inadvertently alludes to the problem Pompey may face. They fell short of getting “beyond this level” again this season and it is thought others at the higher level are looking at Harness this summer.

Championship sides Blackburn Rovers and Swansea City have both been linked with the 26-year-old, who made his debut in a friendly for Burton against Derby County when he was only 15.

His development was steady, via loans to Ilkeston, Aldershot Town and Port Vale, but he ended up making 83 appearances for the Brewers, scoring six goals, before Pompey came in for him.

Blackburn were said to be having a look in January and there are also thought to be players at Blackburn and Swansea who might interest Portsmouth, which might influence the situation.

On is Swansea’s former Derby County forward Morgan Whittaker, who spent the second half of the season on loan with Lincoln City in League One.