Mousinho expects 'relatively busy' Pompey summer

John Mousinho says he expects a relatively busy summer at Fratton Park, with Pompey eyeing a mix of free-agent signings, purchases and loan players.

The Blues boss told BBC Radio Solent this time of year "is probably busier than usual" but said the club are in a "really strong position" having consolidated in the Championship after promotion and are not in any rush to conduct business.

"Nothing is close at all, we've been tracking players but we're not panicking," he said. "There's definitely a couple of free agents we are interested in but it's likely to be a combination of paying fees for players and bringing loans in."

Mousinho added he felt the club's retained list this year "probably wasn't a controversial one".

Kusini Yengi scored 13 goals in all competitions in 2023-24 as Pompey won League One, but was not offered a new deal after failing to make a telling impact this term, without a goal in 14 appearances.

"He was pivotal in us winning the league last season but for a number of reasons it's not quite happened for him this year, including some injuries," Mousinho admitted.

"It felt like the best way was to not exercise his option and let him explore other options. We're happy where we are in the centre-forward department and didn't see him playing a lot next year."

Also departing is left-back Cohen Bramall, who the Blues signed in January on a deal until the end of the season, with Mousinho adding: "It was a good opportunity for him to showcase himself and I think he did well, had a very solid contribution to us managing to stay up and was a very positive influence."

The club hope keeper Ben Killip will agree a new deal while they have exercised their option to keep former Arsenal right-back Zak Swanson, with Mousinho saying: "He ended up starting 24 games this year - when he has played I think he's looked every inch a Championship right-back."

He added: "There's nothing we are absolutely desperate to do. What we don't want to do is let players go too early and then not necessarily have replacements. It's probably going to be a case of waiting to bring players in before we let players go.

"It won't be like it has been for the past two summers. It won't be 14 through the door. It won't be one or two. I suspect it'll probably land halfway between them. We're not going to force anything."

One of those who remains on the radar is Bristol City defender Rob Atkinson, who enjoyed a successful loan at Pompey to finish the season.

"Everyone knows we're there and perfectly willing to do a deal for Rob but he's Bristol City's player and we'll see what they do with him first," Mousinho said.

"If they had gone up it probably would have made things slightly more straightforward but it depends on them."