Portsmouth and Leeds United will both play in the Championship next season, but they have quite different transfer windows.
Portsmouth will be extensively recruiting as they go up from League One to become champions, whereas Leeds United’s promotion disappointment will force them to sell some important players. Pompey swept to the third-tier title, maintaining a top-two position for the whole of the season.
Meanwhile, the Whites were unable to secure automatic promotion throughout the season. They were then barely defeated by Southampton in the Championship play-off final, preventing them instant return to the Premier League.
The focus now shifts to the transfer market for both, and in their quest to prepare for the second division, Portsmouth could do far worse than consider Jamie Shackleton as a potential target, given his unclear situation at Leeds United.
Talks are ongoing.
Leeds Last week, United revealed their retained list, and talks with Shackleton, whose current contract ends at the end of the month, were said to be ongoing.
If no agreement is reached, the versatile 24-year-old will be free to pursue his options as a free agent. And, if that is the case, Portsmouth should be among those notified.
Shackleton has primarily played as a right defender, but he can also play as a wingback or center midfielder. His enthusiasm makes him a strong fit for both, and he’s had success in those roles at Elland Road and on loan at Millwall. However, his playing time has been curtailed by the Whites. Partly due to injury, but even when well, he has occasionally found himself lower in the pecking order, and the time may have come for him to go on.
Enter Pompey.
Portsmouth will be looking to make some significant additions to their squad, and considering the present right-back position at Fratton Park, Shackleton’s probable availability should be of considerable interest to John Mousinho and his team.
Joe Rafferty’s contract was not renewed, and he has since joined Rotherham United. Zak Swanson, meanwhile, is in talks with Pompey after the club decided not to extend his 12-month deal. It means they’ll need at least one right-back this summer, and with experience in both the Championship and the Premier League, Shackleton would be confident of securing a starting berth if he leaves Leeds United.
If that opportunity became available, he would undoubtedly take advantage of it in order to maximize his potential. Portsmouth, like the Whites, is a well-supported club with a rich history and a wonderful home facility, making it an appealing destination.
Time will tell what happens with Shackleton’s predicament at Leeds United, but if talks continue without a resolution, Pompey must be prepared to step in.
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