Portsmouth are now close to announced the signing of a 21-year-old defensive midfielder.

Portsmouth are not looking to sign Reading midfielder Michael Craig, according to X reporter Andrew Moon.
Portsmouth are looking for fresh signings as they prepare to move up to the Championship. John Mousinho’s squad won League One, capping off a successful season at Fratton Park. They will be joined in the second division by Derby County, who finished second, and Oxford United, who won the playoffs.

With another busy summer ahead, the south coast will have plenty of transfer targets on their minds. A number of players have been connected with Pompey, including Reading midfielder Michael Craig.

However, competing reports about these linkages have surfaced.

BBC South reporter Andrew Moon, writing on X, batted down suggestions of a Portsmouth move for Craig, a 21-year-old defensive midfielder. Mousinho and co. will be looking for midfield reinforcements this summer. However, Craig does not appear to be on the list as the former Tottenham Hotspur youth enters the final year of his contract with the Royals.

A hectic summer awaits.
Portsmouth have released a number of first-team players,

Several loan stars are also returning to their parent clubs. It means that plenty of improvements will be required at Fratton Park.
As a result, numerous links are bound to appear, many of which will most likely suffer the same fate as the Craig rumors.
Regardless, Pompey should be confident in their recruitment after strong results this time last year laid the groundwork for their spectacular promotion push.

A comparable degree of achievement will hopefully be enough to keep the club in the Championship, which is undoubtedly the ultimate goal, notwithstanding Mousinho’s side’s intriguing trajectory.

Staying in Reading?
For Craig, Reading may be the greatest spot for him to continue his growth.

He became a regular for Ruben Selles in the midst of the season but lost his place in the side in the latter months, so he’ll be desperate to restore his spot in the XI ahead of the new season.

His contract has one year left, so he may be attracting admirers. Reading may take advantage of the opportunity if one arises, but it appears that Portsmouth will not provide them with one.