Tranmere centre-half not a target for Pompey

MANNY Monthe isn’t on Kenny Jackett’s summer transfer hit list at present.

The Tranmere defender’s name has resurfaced this week after being linked with a switch to Fratton Park in the January transfer window.

But The News understands the former Hawks powerhouse isn’t a player the Blues are actively pursuing as they look towards a summer shake-up.

Monthe was linked with a switch to Fratton Park earlier this year, but the £750,000 price tag placed on his head by Rovers saw the move fail to accelerate.

Pompey are heading towards a summer overhaul of players with eight players out of contract, although offers have been made to Lee Brown and Brandon Haunstrup to stay.

Four loanees have seen their stays come to an end with 17 first team players currently contracted for next term.

The middle of defence is a key area of focus with the only existing options out-offavour Paul Downing and Jack Whatmough, who is returning from an injury lay-off.

Monthe is highly thought of at Prenton Park after making 39 appearances this term, but managerless Tranmere are likely to be prepared to cash in on him after their relegation to League Two and with a year on his existing agreement.

The 25-year-old got the rumour mill turning this week when Pompey fans spotted that he’d started following the club’s official Twitter account.

That’s been a move players have made in the past, unwittingly putting the spotlight on them ahead of deals being completed.

With such manoeuvres being closely monitored by fans now, it could also be a way to fuel gossip, however.

Monthe also regularly ‘liked’ tweets from stories linking him to Pompey earlier in the year.