Portsmouth chief Andy Cullen has insisted the door remains open for Jay Mingi, as reported by the Portsmouth News.
Mingi’s contract is coming to an end with Pompey on July 1st and the club are yet to hear from the midfielder with that date approaching at the end of this week.
The 22-year-old has failed to communicate with the club what his next steps are for the upcoming season, with many within the club hopeful he will remain after a three-year deal was placed on the table for the midfielder to sign. The midfielder is also expected to be absent from training, with the club beginning pre-season training this week.
The midfielder has not signed that deal or communicated with the club’s hierarchy his intentions regarding his future at Fratton Park. It is understood that Mingi’s representatives have been searching for other options across the EFL for the Portsmouth man, with those representatives claiming that Charlton held an interest in Mingi in January, as well as clubs in the Championship which includes Birmingham City and even Premier League side West Ham, it is unknown if those claims are true or not.
Mingi joined Pompey from Charlton Athletic in the summer of 2021 on a free transfer and has made 29 appearances for the club since he joined. A knee injury ended his time in the team for a while and since December, he has managed to play just 16 minutes of football on the South Coast, struggling to break back into the first team under John Mousinho since his return.
Portsmouth chief Andy Cullen has discussed the midfielder’s situation, as he has left the door open for the midfielder to join the club for training, stating the midfielder can come back for pre-season because there is another offer on the table from the club. Cullen has also reiterated the club’s entitlement to compensation for Mingi should he move on due to his age, as he is currently under 24 years of age.
“His current deal expires on July 1 and, should he make the decision to move to another club, we are entitled to compensation.”
‘That will be the same for any player under the age of 24 and, if we can’t reach an agreement with that other club, then it will have to go to a tribunal.”
‘Technically because there is an offer on the table, Jay can come back into pre-season this week. Whether he chooses to do that or not is the player’s decision.”
Writer’s View
A strange saga is beginning to develop here and from the looks of it, he will not be playing his football at Fratton Park next season. However, it remains to be seen whether or not it is a wise decision to leave. Portsmouth clearly value the midfielder and appear to be keen to develop him further and perhaps make him a key player, but Mingi does not seem to be interested in the South Coast, whatever the reason may be.
What a sad case, and, possibly, we do not know the full story. However, the way Mr Mingi appears to have conducted himself does him no favours. He is entitled to seek employment elsewhere – if he can find another club willing to take him on. Personally, I think Pompey should cut him loose. No player is too big for the Club, and there is no shortage of other quality players wanting to play for it.