news-engine

Exclusive:Portsmouth boss John Mousinho delivers transfer latest amid Abu Kamara pursuit The Blues have recruited six players during the summer transfer window so far Pompey may be closing in on the popular return of Abu Kamara, but John Mousinho is adamant there will be no signings before the weekend. The Blues boss continues to distance himself from the 23-year-old’s potential return, declining to discuss any player contracted to another club. In the meantime, Mousinho has a Carabao Cup clash at West Ham to prepare for, with Saturday’s fixture representing the curtain-raiser for the 2026-27 season. Although the head coach doesn’t anticipate any new arrivals before then, whether it’s Kamara or anyone else. ‘There will be no changes before Saturday’ He told The News: ‘There’s nothing on the horizon, nothing imminent, there will be no changes before Saturday. ‘I’d like to think we will have maybe two extras by the time we kick off against QPR (in the Championship) ‘I would love to have more now, I would love to have had everybody in by the time we went away to Ireland, but it’s not always possible. ‘In the League One promotion season, nine out of the 14 signings we did were done before we went away to Spain, which gave us that advantage. ‘If you look at the nine, most were on frees, it was a lot less complex at that stage. We did a couple of players for £50-100,000 here and there, took players from under-21 sides and fringe players, plus Kusini Yengi from Australia. ‘It was a much more straightforward market at that point - and that hasn’t been the case when you get into the Championship. ‘Second of all, because of the World Cup finals and how long that has taken for Premier League clubs to release their players, it has been quite slow. ‘I would love to have everything done and dusted by now, but I’d much rather have a squad who I think is stronger and more competitive at the back end of August, than taking whoever is available at this stage.’ Six new faces wanted Pompey have recruited six players during the transfer window to date - with Mousinho wanting another six through the door. On Wednesday afternoon, newcomers Marko Milovanovic and Daniel Bielica were both handed their first outings in a 2-0 win against Kuwait SC in a behind-closed-doors training ground friendly. Eoin Kenny was also named in the starting XI, although Odin Bailey, Rocco Shein and Luke Brooke-Smith didn’t feature. And Mousinho expects transfer action across the English game to ramp up from next week. ‘There will be a lot more movement from all of those who decide’ He added: ‘There are plenty of players in terms of their availability who I think will be able to come out a bit later on. ‘If you look at Premier League clubs, as an example, the way things have been structured means they’re starting a bit later and those clubs tend to keep their squads together. ‘I think this week and next week there will be a lot more movement from all of those who decide.’