Autumn/Winter PFC News

Transfer Gossip: Portsmouth in battle with Hull for 21 year old Nottingham Forest midfielder Ryan Yates.

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Pompey and Hull City are battling it out to sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Ryan Yates on loan, according to the Daily Mirror. Yates, 20, has been included in just one match-day squad for the Championship club this season, appearing for 45 minutes in their EFL Cup clash against Bury back in August.

It has been suggested the midfielder could now go out on loan in January. Reports back in July suggested Pompey had a bid for Yates rebuffed. The 20-year-old has already had loan stints at Scunthorpe United and Notts County in his early career and he could now be set for another brief spell away from the City Ground. Forest's Championship rivals Hull are said to be interested as well, but Pompey will be hoping to land him as they look to push for League One promotion.

 

League One sides Portsmouth and Charlton Athletic are both considering moves for former Tottenham Hotspur player Giancarlo Gallifuoco, according to HITC Sport.

Versatile Australian player Giancarlo Gallifuoco could be allowed to leave Italian Serie C side FC Rieti as financial problems mount for the Italia club.

League One sides Portsmouth and Charlton are among a host of clubs to be looking to bring in the Australian Youth international after just half a season with FC Rieti. In their chase for Serie B promotion, Rieti have run into financial problems, and may be forced into selling some of their star players to raise funds, and Gallifuoco is one of the players being linked with a move away.

A selection of Serie B clubs have been linked with moves for the Australian central defender, as well as some Serie A clubs.

The 6' 2" defender can play in a variety of positions, also filling in at right back and centre midfield on several occasions. Gallifuoco has represented the Australian National team at three levels, playing for the Under-17s, Under-20s and Under-23s.


After starting his youth career at Sutherland Sharks, NSWIS and AIS – three football academies based in Australia – the 24-year-old moved to Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur, where he spent two years in the academy. After leaving the Spurs academy in 2014, Gallifuoco moved to Swansea City, where he only lasted a year before moving back to Australia with Melbourne Victory.

However, he only lasted one season in his native, moving back to England to play for National League side Torquay United, before moving onto Dover Athletic a year later.

 

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Ronan Curtis earned his second Republic of Ireland cap tonight against Denmark, after coming on as a 65th minute substitute.

 

Nottingham Forest great Stuart Pearce back in the Portsmouth fold.

The former England defender was back at the Blues’ training ground on Thursday offering assistance to friend Kenny Jackett.

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Pearce spent time at Pompey on an ad hoc basis early last season, before taking up the assistant manager’s role to David Moyes at West Ham in November 2017. At the time, Jackett had praised the former Manchester City man’s Blues input on the training pitch, particularly his work with defenders. Having left West Ham in the summer, Pearce has now increased his co-commentary workload with talkSPORT. However, he has also renewed his Fratton Park links. Jackett said: ‘He has always been around, whichever club I’ve been at to be fair, he’s someone who is a friend. ‘Stuart has seen one or two of our games, he was at the Spurs under-21s game, and around his very busy work commitments comes in and keeps in touch.

 

Transfer Gossip: Portsmouth target set to join League One rivals

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Kieran Sadlier is closing in on a move to Doncaster Rovers, reports suggest. According to the Irish Sun, the Pompey target will complete his switch to the Keepmoat Stadium next week.

The News reported that Sadlier was on Kenny Jackett’s radar, although no deal was imminent. The attacking midfielder is a free agent after his contract with Cork City expired following their FAI Cup final loss to Dundalk. Sadlier netted 15 goals during the League of Ireland season, finishing as top scorer. The former West Ham man has been weighing up his options since departing the Rebel Army. And it’s reported that Sadlier has opted to join the Blues’ League One rivals when the transfer window opens next month.

 

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Gareth Evans has been named the PFA Bristol Street Motors League One Player of the Month for November.

In a public poll run by fan-engagement experts Snack Media, the Pompey midfielder received the most votes.

He saw off fierce competition from Charlton’s Joe Aribo, Luton’s Elliot Lee, Sunderland’s Aiden McGeady, Wycombe’s Joe Jacobson and Gillingham’s Tom Eaves.

Evans – who has worn the captain’s armband for much of the season – played a pivotal role throughout November, netting crucial goals in away wins at Bradford and Scunthorpe.

Player Vote
Gareth Evans 30%
Joe Aribo 20%
Elliot Lee 19%
Aiden McGeady 13%
Joe Jacobson 10%
Tom Eaves 8%

 

Transfer Gossip: Portsmouth to beat Hull, Bradford, Bolton and Rotherham in race for Nottingham Forest youngster

Pompey are keen to wrap up a deal for Nottingham Forest youngster Ryan Yates. That’s according to the Daily Mirror, who claim Kenny Jackett is prepared to splash the cash for the 6' 3" midfielder in January.

The 21-year-old, who was linked with a move to the Blues in July, is reportedly valued at around £500,000 after signing a new three-year deal at the City Ground in the summer. However, Yates has only featured once for Aitor Karanka’s Championship side this month as Forest push for promotion to the Premier League. Pompey’s reported interest in the Reds youth product comes after it emerged Millwall are weighing up a recall for on-loan midfielder Ben Thompson. He’s been linked with a return to the Den, with injuries mounting up for Neil Harris’ side. Meanwhile, the report suggests Hull are interested in a loan move for Yates, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Scunthorpe.

Bradford, Bolton and Rotherham were among the clubs interested in the Forest player’s services during the summer.

 

It's a no from me unfortunately, Sharpe, due to family commitments. Never easy on Boxing Day......

Are you a Gills fan living locally then ?

 

With Luke McGee suffering an injury in training, young keeper Alex Bass has been recalled early from his loan period at Torquay United, as cover for Craig MacGillivray.

 

Luke McGee could be sidelined for up to six weeks.

The Pompey keeper has suffered a broken bone in his wrist and is ruled out of action for at least a fortnight.

The Blues have recalled Alex Bass from his loan spell at Torquay and he was on the bench for the 1-1 draw at Barnsley today.

Boss Kenny Jackett said: 'Luke has a very small broken bone in his wrist. 'He will need somewhere between two to six weeks out.'

 

Plymouth Argyle and Portsmouth are interested in a loan move for Blackburn Rovers defender Lewis Travis, as per a report by Plymouth Live.

Fellow third tier sides Blackpool and Wycombe Wanderers have also been credited with an interest as well as League Two outfit Lincoln City.

Travis, who is 21 years-old, could leave Championship side Blackburn on loan in the upcoming January transfer window in search of more regular first-team football.

The youngster has played eight times for Rovers this season, with five of his appearances coming in the Championship. However, their manager Tony Mowbray is keen for him to go out and get some more experience to help his progress.

Travis started his career at Liverpool but left the Reds in 2014 and subsequently joined Blackburn. His contract at Ewood Park expires in 2021.

Plymouth Argyle are keen on bringing him to Home Park next month. The Pilgrims are currently 21st in League One and a point from safety. They are looking to bring in a defender to help tighten up their backline.

They will have to face competition from fellow third tier side Portsmouth. Kenny Jackett’s side, who are top of the league, are looking forward to their promotion charge next year and are in the hunt for some new signings to boost their chances.

Wycombe, Blackpool and Lincoln will have their work cut out if they are to see off interest to land Travis. The Rovers’ youngster is not short of options this January.

The 6' tall defender can apparently play anywhere across the back four, which could be useful. Will be interesting to see which club he chooses.

 

The Italian heading Portsmouth search for European talent

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Roberto Gagliardi arrived at Fratton Park in March 2018 and has already been credited with recruiting teenage keeper Petar Durin.

Appointed head of European scouting and formerly a recruitment consultant with Bolton, he is working closely with Phil Boardman and Kenny Jackett plotting future signings. Gagliardi, a goalkeeper during his playing days, has also seen service at Fulham, AC ChievoVerona and, more recently, Leyton Orient. Now he has been challenged to unearth European talent to bolster Pompey. ‘Roberto is based in London but does a lot of work in Ireland, Scotland and mainland Europe, that is part of the increase in our scouting network,’ said Boardman, Pompey’s head of recruitment.

‘It’s important not to lose sight of the domestic market, so he is helping us with that as well. The more options and more players we can put in front of Kenny and the coaching staff hopefully means we are going to get better players. ‘Roberto was involved in the Petar Durin signing. He had some knowledge of Petar’s situation with Atalanta and got some information from contacts over in Italy.

‘He was able to take advantage of Petar’s contract situation with Atalanta, that was one we wouldn't have known about if it hadn’t been for his contacts.’ Another scouting addition is Kevin Bond, a name certainly familiar with Pompey followers. Formerly assistant manager to Alan Ball, the ex-defender later worked with Harry Redknapp during both his Fratton Park spells, before following him to Southampton, Spurs, QPR and Birmingham. Now the 61-year-old is responsible for identifying talent on a local scale.

Boardman added: ‘Kevin is a really respected and experienced member of staff, someone that has come into the team and worked really well with us.

‘He is based around the local areas, with a really good knowledge of players based in the south. 'He also has an affinity with the club which we have been able to utilise and his experience has been invaluable on a number of occasions. ‘Kevin has been a really good addition to what we have been doing so far and UK based with his work, concentrating on domestic players.’

 

Portsmouth set to unveil Rochdale’s Andy Cannon.

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Andy Cannon (right) battles with Spurs' Danny Rose in last season's FA Cup fifth-round replay at Wembley

Pompey are poised to announce Rochdale’s Andy Cannon as their first signing of the January transfer window. Kenny Jackett is determined to carry out his squad strengthening as swiftly as possible, mirroring the club’s highly-successful approach during the summer.

That policy has this week seen a deal agreed for midfielder Cannon, reportedly worth around £150,000. However, the Blues’ new capture will not officially be ratified until after January 1, when the window reopens. Cannon, a midfielder, has made 127 appearances and scored six times since emerging through Rochdale’s youth set-up.

He also appeared as a 55th-minute substitute in their FA Cup encounter with Pompey earlier this month. The 22-year-old, who has started four League One games this season, made his most recent outing on December 15, coming off the bench in a 2-1 home defeat to Plymouth. Cannon was not included in Rochdale’s squad for Saturday’s trip to Southend, which saw Keith Hill’s men claim a 2-1 victory.

Hopefully, another decent signing by Kenny Jackett - he does seem to have an eye for a good player !

 

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Transfer Gossip: Exeter striker linked with Portsmouth return

Jayden Stockley is reportedly being lined up for a return to Pompey. According to Devon Live, the Blues are in ‘pole position’ to sign the striker from Exeter.

6' 3" Stockley has been in superb form for the Grecians this season. He scored his 15th goal of the campaign in their 2-1 victory over Yeovil on Boxing Day. In total, he’s netted 50 goals in 97 games at St James Park. Reports suggest the 25-year-old has a release clause in his contract of around £750,000 that would allow him to leave. League One rivals Sunderland, Peterborough United and Oxford United are also potential suitors, as well as MK Dons and Motherwell. Exeter boss Matt Taylor has admitted interest in the Poole-born marksman will be inevitable in the January transfer window. He said: ‘We feel Jayden has improved since he’s been with us and what happens in the next few weeks, who knows?

 

Transfer Gossip: Portsmouth battling Bristol City and Brentford for Watford winger.

Pompey are interested in Randell Williams, reports suggest. According to Mirror Football, the Blues have held talks with Watford about signing the winger.

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Williams has spent the first half of this season at the Blues' League One rivals Wycombe Wanderers. He’s made 23 appearances for Gareth Ainsworth’s side, scoring three goals. The Hornets are supposedly ready to allow the 22-year-old to leave on a permanent basis, with Wanderers interested in retaining his services. Yet Williams is said to have attracted interest from Pompey, as well as Championship outfits Bristol City and Brentford. The wide man was on Tottenham Academy’s books as a junior, before signing for Crystal Palace in January 2016. After departing Selhurst Park, he moved to Watford but he’s yet to make his first-team debut.

 

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Apparently, Pompey are being linked with 23 year old Glasgow Celtic defender Jack Hendry, with Celtic wanting the defender to depart on loan for the rest of the campaign. The Scotland international has also been linked with Sunderland and Bradford. He cost Celtic £1.5 million from Dundee a year ago.

 

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According to PompeyNewsNow
Transfer Gossip: Looks like Sam Surridge could be on his way from AFC Bournemouth on loan. Had been on loan at Oldham Athletic scoring 8 and assisting 3 in 13 League Two matches. 6 foot 3 striker, the Cherries want him to play in a higher league. [ AFCB]