Just under 12 months after signing him, Cardiff City have an uphill battle on their hands to keep Alex Robertson at the club amid interest.
The Australian international joined The Bluebirds from Manchester City, after he lit up League One with Portsmouth on loan during their title-winning season. The 22-year-old played 39 times for The Bluebirds in his debut season, scoring four times and assisting three goals in a season which saw the club relegated rock bottom of the Championship.
Pompey Return Possible
With Cardiff now playing in the third tier next season, their prized assets are being monitored by other clubs and it is no different in Robertson’s case. A report from The News, Portsmouth suggests that as many as 12 clubs are interested in the midfielder from across Europe and the MLS. John Mousinho’s side are in the mix, hoping to bring their former loanee back to Fratton Park.
The article states that Robertson is set for talks with new Cardiff manager Brian Barry-Murphy, who was a former coach for the Australian in the Manchester City academy. It is believed that a return to Portsmouth is an interesting prospect for the 22-year-old, who spoke fondly of the club whilst in Hampshire.
Pompey were interested last summer in signing the loanee but missed out with Robertson agreeing a four-year deal in the Welsh capital. No other sides are named in the report but it is stated that one of the three sides relegated from the Premier League last season, Ipswich Town, Southampton and Leicester City, are interested. The Blues have been linked with other midfielders to help keep their Championship status next season, including Silkeborg’s Pelle Mattsson.
Writers’ View
With Cardiff faltering immediately after joining the club, it seems that Alex Robertson could be on the move again. Whilst he will be a leading light for The Bluebirds should he stay with the club, a return to Portsmouth may be too good of an opportunity to turn down with the affinity both parties have for each other. However, with other sides, including one of the three relegated clubs also in the mix, this could be a major battle across the league for the midfielder.
