League One side Portsmouth are prepared to play the waiting game when it comes to extending the contract of long-serving winger Ronan Curtis, as reported by The Portsmouth News.
The winger’s contract comes to an end this month, after five seasons with the club on the South Coast. A new deal has been put on the table for Curtis, but the situation is complicated by his current injury status.
There were concerns about the club’s stance on the star’s contract as he picked up an ACL injury in February that forced him to miss the remainder of last season. That injury will keep him on the sidelines until December meaning the deal on the table could be financially beneficial in the second half of the season.
Portsmouth chief Andy Cullen told The News that the deal was now on the table and in the hands of Curtis and his agent, leaving the Irishman’s future in the club in their hands, however, he remains confident he will be at Fratton Park next summer. For now, Curtis must decide on searching for a new club or continuing his rehabilitation on the South Coast.
‘The fact is Ronan is out of contract this summer and won’t be fit until December.
‘We have offered him a contract and will continue to look at it after his rehabilitation until such time as he decides to sign it – or join another club.
Since his arrival from Derry in 2019, signed by Kenny Jackett, Curtis has proved a fruitful signing, reaching double figures in four of his five seasons with Pompey and has scored 57 goals in 226 appearances. During his time at Fratton Park, he has also gone on to represent his country seven times.
The winger’s future now remains in his hands and he must decide if he is going to stay and challenge for the first team next season once he is fit again, or if he is going to search for a new club, which given his injury status could prove to be difficult.
Writer’s View
Curtis is very talented and has been a vital part of the Portsmouth squad in recent years, his injury came at the worst possible time, as he picked up form in John Mourinho’s side and he only fell short of double figures this season due to that injury, had he remained fit, the club’s season may have had a different end. The wisest move for the player would be to sign a new deal and stay with the club, as many clubs, despite interest in his services in the past, may not be willing to take the risk on a player who will miss the first six months of the season.
