Portsmouth’s chances of signing Rob Atkinson take new twist after Bristol City v Sheffield United play-off drama.
Pompey are keen on making Rob Atkinson’s recent Fratton Park loan from Bristol City permanent.
Pompey’s hopes of signing Rob Atkinson have taken a new turn following Bristol City’s play-off drama against Sheffield United.
The Blues are interested in the centre-back after a successful loan spell at PO4, where he gained popularity among fans.
Despite missing nearly two months of his temporary stay due to a calf injury, the 26-year-old made 15 appearances after his January arrival and, crucially, played a key role in Pompey’s Championship survival.
After only four defeats in a Blues shirt, the Fratton faithful have since urged John Mousinho and Rich Hughes to re-sign Atkinson on a permanent basis in the upcoming transfer window.
Bristol City’s head coach indicated that promotion to the Premier League would facilitate the deal.
However, those hopes have taken a new turn after the Robins were knocked out of the end-of-season play-offs by the Blades 6-0 on aggregate.
After losing 3-0 in the first leg at Ashton Gate on Thursday, Liam Manning’s side needed an incredible comeback in the second leg at Bramall Lane on Monday. However, it would be yet another disappointment for the Robins, whose campaign against Chris Wilder’s troops had ended in frustration.
Manning’s 3-5-2 line-up against the Blades featured only one specialist centre-back, Zak Vyner, which hampered the Robins’ hopes.
Rob Dickie received a red card in the first leg, and Luke McNally suffered a season-ending ACL injury in February.
It also drew criticism from Ashton Gate supporters after Manning approved Atkinson and Kal Naismith’s loan moves during the January transfer window.
Understandably, this left the Robins short at the back, with full-backs Haydon Roberts, George Tanner, and Cam Pring all playing centre-half at various points during their promotion push.
There will be a lot of focus on Atkinson’s future at Ashton Gate this summer, as the 26-year-old enters the final year of his current contract.
Liam Manning on Rob Atkinson’s future at Bristol City, amid Pompey interest.
Manning told Bristol Live last month that the defender’s long-term future will be evaluated at the end of the season, with Pompey interested in bringing him back on a permanent basis.
In April, he stated: “I think so much is going into getting to the end of the season here first, and then naturally, conversations will happen on situations, scenarios, and what things look like.”
‘I’m thrilled for Rob. It was obviously one of those situations where he missed a significant amount of football due to injury, so the fact that he’s been able to get back in and start putting minutes together was the reason for the loan because it was unlikely that it would happen here right away given where we were, so it’s been extremely beneficial to him.
‘How John has handled him has also been excellent, so we’ll see what happens at the end of the season.
Pompey fans are still waiting for word on their retained list, but the Blues currently have Regan Poole, Conor Shaughnessy, Ibane Bowat, Hayden Matthews, Ryley Towler, and Tom McIntyre as centre-back options contracted beyond this summer.
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