Moves for Ryan Kavuma-McQueen and Jesper Ceesay are edging towards a successful conclusion.
The duo were both missing for Chelsea and Antalyaspor on Saturday as John Mousinho’s men continued their summer recruitment drive.
The Blues have, of course, already completed the captures of six players during the window, with that number set to increase in the coming days with Abu Kamara also closing in on his Fratton Park switch.
Ryan Kavuma-McQueen.placeholder image
Ryan Kavuma-McQueen. | Getty Images
Pompey closing in on Ryan Kavuma-McQueen
Pompey are zeroing in on Kavuma-McQueen, who is on the verge of penning a season-long loan deal at PO4 and is expected to offer plenty of versatility into John Mousinho’s wide ranks.
Signalling a switch to Fratton Park is heading towards a successful conclusion, the highly-rated 17-year-old was a no show during Chelsea’s 3-0 triumph over AC Milan on Saturday.
The England international had been an ever-present for the Premier League outfit during their pre-season tour of Australia and Asia and registered an assist in a 45-minute showing during a 6-4 triumph over Western Sydney Wanderers at the end of July.
Although the winger was a regular fixture in Xabi Alonso’s matchday squads throughout the trip, he was absent for their success against the Italian outfit this weekend, which once again featured a blend of youth and first-team operators.
The Athletic’s Simon Johnson has since revealed Kavuma-McQueen has jetted back from the Blues’ Asia tour to seal his Fratton Park switch.
The young talent, who is widely regarded as one of the most exciting talents to emerge from Stamford Bridge in recent years, is now set to pen a season-long loan deal on the south coast, continuing his development in the Championship with Pompey.
Pompey’s pursuit in Jesper Ceesay
Ceesay was also absent for Antalyaspor’s season opener against Keciorengucu as his anticipated move to Fratton Park edges closer.
The Blues have reached an agreement with the Turkish second-tier side, with the club’s president, Mustafa Ergun, confirming on Friday the Blues had reached a deal to sign the defensive midfielder.
A report in Turkey this week claimed Mousinho’s men will pay an initial upfront payment of €500,000, with a further €300,000 paid in instalments.
It was also said that Antalyaspor had negotiated a 15-percent sell-on clause in the deal that was taking Ceesay to Fratton Park.
With his switch also in the final stages, he was left out of Sami Ugurlu’s squad for their 3-0 1.Lig triumph on Saturday.
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John Mousinho on Pompey incomings
Kavuma-McQueen and Ceesay are also expected to be joined by Kamara in the coming days, with the Hull City man also close to completing his much-anticipated Fratton Park return.
The 23-year-old has undergone a medical this weekend ahead of his £2.5m switch from Hull City after an agreement was reached with the Tigers to bring the winger back to PO4.
Kamara and Kavuma-McQueen are set to fill the void on the wing, with Harvey Blair, Franco Umeh, Keshi Anderson and Josh Murphy all missing Saturday’s curtain raiser against West Ham, while Ceesay will slot into the defensive midfield role - a position Mousinho has been eager to strengthen.
And with the trio all finalising their respective moves, the head coach is ‘pretty positive’ at least two will have arrived before Tuesday.
He told The News: ‘It’s looking pretty positive.
‘I switch off from transfers in the build-up to the game, but I’m now expecting a couple through the door for QPR. In fact, I’d be very surprised if we didn’t have a couple in by Tuesday.’
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