Update emerges on potential Portsmouth swoop for 10-goal star amid Derby County, Oxford United interest
Yesterday at 05:33 AM
Portsmouth are not looking to sign Reading forward Harvey Knibbs this winter amid recent links, a report from The News has said.
Portsmouth will be looking to further bolster their ranks in the January transfer window as they continue their fight to retain their Championship status.
It didn’t take long for Pompey to get off the mark in the window either. They’ve already brought centre-back Rob Atkinson in on loan from Bristol City and he made his debut against Sunderland at the weekend.
John Mousinho and co won’t be stopping there though. A number of additions will be targeted and in recent days, one player linked with a move to Fratton Park has been in-form Reading attacker Harvey Knibbs.
Now though, new claims have emerged on the links between Pompey and the former Cambridge United star.
The News reports that Portsmouth are not pursuing a deal for the 25-year-old this winter. The club are keen on adding another attacker to their ranks but they want to sign one they are confident can have an immediate impact in the Championship, something that can’t be guaranteed from Knibbs given that he has never played in the second-tier.
It means the way could be cleared for Derby County or Oxford United to swoop in, with the duo also linked with Knibbs.
Deserving of a Championship chance?
Many will argue that Knibbs is a player who deserves a shot at impressing in the Championship, perhaps making the stance Portsmouth have taken a little surprising.
The former Aston Villa youngster previously starred for Cambridge United and he’s had a similar impact at Reading since signing last summer. This season, he has 10 goals and two assists to his name in 24 games across all competitions, operating as both an attacking midfielder and left winger.
It seems if he’s going to get a Championship chance this winter, it won’t be coming from Pompey. His other admirers could yet offer him a chance to make the step up though.
Wise from Pompey
Portsmouth are in a position where they can’t really afford to take gambles on players when it comes to recruitment. As such, it raised eyebrows that they signed Rob Atkinson given he has barely played for Bristol City in recent years due to injury.
However, importantly, he’s a player who has proven he can impress at this level before, and Mousinho will want someone of a similar pedigree in attack.
Knibbs doesn’t offer that as someone who has never played in the Championship, so it’s perhaps wise for the club to be looking elsewhere.
The stance may well come back to bite if the Reading star steps up and stands out, but it’s a chance Portsmouth will feel they have to take.
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