According to reports, Pompey and Oxford United are fighting for the midfield player from Luton Town. This is the most recent transfer.
Pompey plans to shift its focus from a bid for Shandon Baptiste to a midfield acquisition.
The News is aware that in an attempt to speed up their hiring process, the possibility of an offer for the Luton Town player has been considered this summer.
Pompey has looked at a possible move for Shandon Baptiste.
The former Brentford player, who relocated to Kenilworth Road last summer, has reportedly attracted attention from the Blues and Oxford United.
According to the News, Pompey has looked into the possibility of acquiring a player that John Mousinho is familiar with from their time together at the Kassam Stadium.
However, the Premier League operator believes that a deal for Baptiste is unlikely to reflect the type of value the club is looking for in a trade.
The 27-year-old’s current contract has two years left on it, but his club has the option to extend it by another year.
As Pompey gets ready for their second season in the Championship, it’s likely that any agreement for Baptiste would place him directly at the top of the team’s current earning list.
Significantly contributing to the mix is the Grenada international’s ongoing, severe injury issues.
The box-to-box midfielder has experienced ankle and groin problems, shoulder dislocations, and a knee injury to the anterior cruciate ligament. In addition, he missed two months due to a calf issue during Luton’s unsuccessful attempt to survive.
However, with 55 appearances at the top level with Baptiste has demonstrated throughout his career that he is a player on par with the Premier League.
Shandon Baptiste, Pelle Mattsson, Alex Robertson, and midfield priorities
The Blues are putting a lot of emphasis on midfield this summer, and Danish midfielder Pelle Mattsson is high on their shortlist. However, thBrentford,ey will have competition from Championship teams for the Silkeborg player.
Mousinho is keeping an eye on Alex Robertson’s circumstances at Cardiff, with the former Blues loanee amenable to the possibility of a Fratton reunion.
Another name that has been brought up this summer is Hungarian Mark Kosznovszky; two fresh faces are probably needed in the centre of the park.
Regarding Baptiste, Luton manager Matt Bloomfield has discussed assembling a more “robust” team in an effort to return his team to the Championship as soon as possible.
Despite his fitness issues, he believes his player has showed devotion and has empathy for him.
“I’ve felt a lot for him this season because he’s been going strong and then had a couple of breakdowns, but he’s gone about his work so well,” said Bloomfield the Luton today.
He is a really talented player, and I have always admired him from a distance. We haven’t had as much of him as we would have liked to, but he is another player we hold in such high regard.
“He’s a good football player, Shandon, and a good boy who works hard and is dedicated to his game.” Sometimes this season, it has been difficult to see him struggle.
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