Who’s set to go and who may come in as summer overhaul gets underway
Pompey have begun the process of reshaping their squad for the 2023-24 season.
The Blues have this week started face-to-face talks with those players whose futures lie away from Fratton Park.
That includes those individuals whose contracts are set to expire next month and the contracted players who head coach John Mousinho and sporting director Rich Hughes believe do not fit the model going forward.
A retained and released list is expected by the end of this week.
Focus will then shift to the process of replacing those departures.
No signings will be officially announced until June 10 at the earliest – when the summer transfer window opens.
All clubs then have until September 1 to conduct their business, by which stage Mousinho and Hughes will be hoping to have landed 9-10 signings.
The News revealed on Monday that club captain Clark Robertson is set to leave after two years at PO4.
And of the players out of contract, it’s anticipated that Connor Ogilvie and Josh Oluwayemi will be the only ones offered fresh terms.
Manchester United loanee Di’Shon Bernard is a player the Blues would like to sign on a permanent deal as the club look to fill voids made vacant by the likes of Robertson & Co.
He and goalkeeper Matt Macey are the only loanees Pompey are expected to make an effort to sign on permanent deals.
A move for soon-to-be outof-contract Cardiff winger Gavin Whyte is also anticipated.
Feelers have also been put out in regards to Accrington’s Tommy Leigh, who is from Portsmouth.
Meanwhile, it’s understood that Cambridge striker Sam Smith is a player of interest as well, with Pompey expected to go into this summer’s transfer window with an increased budget.
However, the club have denied having any interest in Larne striker Lee Bonis, despite reports.
The Blues will hope to have several of their new arrivals signed, sealed and delivered before they report back for pre-season duty on June 26.
Although still to be officially announced, the 2023-24 season is expected to kick off on the weekend of August 5-6.