Portsmouth are set to be quite busy during the upcoming transfer window and are weighing up a move for one of the most impressive players in League One over the course of the 2023/24 campaign, according to reports.
Despite boasting one of the largest budgets in England’s third tier, John Mousinho – in his first full season in management – guided Pompey to promotion to the Championship, finishing top of the table by five points with the joint-fourth best attack and third-best defence in the division.
The club on the south coast will now play in the second tier of English football for the first time in 12 years, having previously been relegated at the end of the 2011/12 season. Portsmouth received a winding-up petition that very season, but over a decade later, the club are now in much safer hands under Michael Eisner.
Supporters will now be hoping that their side can make an impact in the Championship next season after Ipswich Town proved that back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League can still be pulled off in the modern game.
Nevertheless, should Portsmouth want to wreak havoc next season in a stronger division, the board will need to sign some players to strengthen the first-team squad. One name said to be on the club’s list is Karamoko Dembele.
According to The News, Portsmouth, Pompey are considering making a move for the Frenchman this summer, having featured against the English playmaker twice this season during his loan spell at Blackpool.
A lovely goal from Karamoko Dembele! 👏 #BBCFACup #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/KH4zv9uFVP
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) November 4, 2023
Dembele, the brother of Birmingham City star Siriki Dembele, scored nine goals and recorded 14 assists throughout his spell at Bloomfield Road. Only high-flying Peterborough United wingback Harrison Burrows and Derby County star Nathaniel Mendez-Laing registered more assists than the 21-year-old.
Writer’s View
Dembele was one of the best players in League One last season. He was immense under Neil Critchley and, despite his seemingly nimble appearance, looked a level too good for the third tier at times.
Signing the young playmaker would be an excellent move by Portsmouth. However, he still has two years remaining on his current deal in France, meaning acquiring the attacker won’t come cheaply. Furthermore, there’s a strong possibility that Brest will want to try him out in the first-team after such a strong showing whilst on loan.
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