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Portsmouth rivals face snag in pursuit of Wrexham talent as Sheffield United and Southampton target £5m defender The latest transfer headlines involving Pompey’s Championship rivals. Pompey kick-started the new Championship campaign with a 3-1 defeat at home to QPR on Saturday. Despite Terry Devlin giving the Blues and early lead after a wonderful 25-yard effort, the Hoops responded in quick succession. An Ilias Chair double was separated by a Koki Saito goal to give Julien Stephan’s side a two-goal advantage before the break. And the head coach is optimistic of further additions ahead of their trip to newly-promoted Lincoln City next Saturday. Elsewhere, gossip and speculation continues to do the rounds across the Championship as clubs look to finalise their business with two weeks remaining in the window. Here’s the latest transfer headlines involving the Blues’ second-tier rivals. Championship duo eye Wrexham raid - but face issues Derby County and Charlton Athletic are both eyeing a move for Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, according to reports. Transfer guru Alan Nixon has revealed the Championship duo are both keen on landing the 24-year-old in the final weeks of the window. It is believed the Nigeria international is eager to depart the Racecourse Ground this summer having fallen down Phil Parkinson’s pecking order between the sticks following Anthony Patterson’s £10m move from Sunderland. The report states Derby are actively considering a swoop, while Charlton have made an enquiry over a potential deal. However, a move will not be easy to complete due to Okonkwo’s staggering wage demands, which is putting any potential temporary departure in jeopardy. It remains to be seen whether Pompey’s Championship rivals will continue their pursuit in the former Arsenal man, who has kept 47 clean sheets in 121 appearances during his three-year stay with the Red Dragons. The keeper is heading into the final 12 months of his current terms in north Wales, with Wrexham open to sanctioning an exit before deadline day. Charlton secured a 2-1 victory over the Rams on the opening day, with Mousinho’s men set to face both sides before September’s international break. Southampton & Sheffield United battle for defender Sheffield United appear to have turned their sights away from Leicester City’s Harry Souttar and are now eyeing a reunion for a former Bramall Lane defender. Our sister paper, the Sheffield Star, have claimed the Blades are plotting a permanent move for Feyenoord’s Anel Ahmedhodzic. The centre-back departed the Steel City last summer after amassing 114 appearances during a three-year stay following his arrival from Malmo in 2022. The report states the Bosnian international would be open to a return to Sheffield United should a deal be struck, with the report stating the defender could be available for £5m this summer. Chris Wilder’s side reportedly face competition for Ahmedhodzic’s signature, with Sky Sports suggesting Southampton are also interested. It is believed Pompey’s south-coast rivals have identified the 27-year-old as a potential replacement for in-demand centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who has been the subject of a £20m bid from Benfica this week. The Blues lock horns with Tonda Eckert’s outfit in the latest south-coast derby on October 11, with Mousinho’s troops making the short trip across the M27 to St Mary’s. Your next Pompey read: ‘Thank you’: Abu Kamara’s message to Portsmouth faithful after Fratton show of affection