Pompey are reportedly eager to sign a West Brom star in a blow to Rangers and Leeds United.
Portsmouth are considering a swoop for Grady Diangana following the winger’s release from West Bromwich Albion, according to a recent report.
Pompey, eager to reinforce their attack as they seek to push on from last season’s survival from relegation, are taking a peek at the free agents market. Funds are limited and so Portsmouth must get creative with their business, signing players either for free, for small fees, or on loan.
Diangana is now among those available for nothing following the end of his Albion contract on June 30 and Portsmouth have been tipped to make an approach. There’s widespread interest and so the competition is fierce, but it appears a move to Fratton Park could be possible.
Portsmouth consider contract offer for West Brom forward
As cited by our sister publication, The News, a report has surfaced claiming that Diangana is a target for Pompey. John Mousinho’s side have been credited with a strong interest in the winger, along with Scottish Premiership side Rangers. Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, meanwhile, are said to be keeping a close eye on Diangana’s situation.
All four clubs are in the market for a new winger and could put forward official contract proposals in the coming days or weeks. Diangana, who cost West Brom £12 million - rising to £18 million with add-ons - to sign from West Ham United back in 2020, has also been linked with a potential move to the Saudi Pro League.
Diangana struggled throughout 2024/25 as he played just 1,488 minutes of Championship action. The Congo international still managed to score four goals and provide three assists during his limited game time but he was unable to get into a proper rhythm.
Capable of playing on either flank or through the centre as an attacking midfielder, Diangana scored 26 goals and made 22 assists in 202 appearances for West Brom. Albeit a decent servant, the Baggies didn’t get great value out of their significant outlay. West Ham, meanwhile, will be glad they let him go despite an initial uproar from supporters.
John Mousinho admits Pompey need attacking signings
Portsmouth boss Mousinho recently admitted that several forwards need to be signed this summer as he’s got a shortage of players in attack. Pompey have been linked with a string of players including Crystal Palace’s Hindolo Mustapha and Gambian winger Abdoulie Manneh, while Diangana has now been added to that list.
“If you look across the front line we’ve lost Kusini (Yengi), we’ve lost Christian (Saydee), we’ve lost Adil (Aouchiche) and Kaide Gordon who’s gone back. Harvey (Blair) is injured at the moment, too,” Mousinho told The News.
“There’s been a lot of workload on Murph (Josh Murphy), who we relied on heavily last season and we relied heavily on Langy (Callum Lang) until he got injured. We saw Colby (Bishop) come into the side and make a huge difference, but Mark O’Mahony has gone back as well. Then there was Elias (Sorensen) who we lost in January as well, so there’s clearly a lot of work to do there.”
John Swift, another player recently released by West Brom, was briefly linked with Pompey but isn’t thought to be on his way to Fratton Park. A move to the south coast appealed for Swift as he grew up near Portsmouth and he’s eager for his new club to be closer to his family, though Pompey aren’t interested in moving forward with a contract offer.
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