Portsmouth manager John Mousinho has openly admitted that the club must be extremely careful in the transfer market, while also confirming for the first time that Pompey had shown interest in Coventry City winger Jahnoah Markelo, who is valued at £4.3 million.
Speaking about Portsmouth’s recruitment plans ahead of the summer transfer window, Mousinho stressed that the club does not have the financial flexibility to make costly mistakes when signing players. Unlike wealthier clubs that can afford unsuccessful transfers and simply move on, Portsmouth must ensure that every major signing delivers value and strengthens the squad.
He explained that if the club decides to increase spending this summer, there will be significant pressure on the football department to get those deals right. With limited resources compared to bigger teams, Portsmouth cannot risk investing heavily in players who fail to perform or do not fit the team’s needs.
Mousinho also confirmed that Portsmouth had pursued Markelo during the January transfer window, showing their admiration for the Coventry winger. However, his comments made it clear that any future move for players of that level would need to be approached carefully, given the financial realities at Fratton Park.
Overall, the Portsmouth boss sent a clear warning that while the club may be ambitious in the market, discipline and smart recruitment remain essential because, in his words, other clubs can afford to “miss” on transfers, but Portsmouth cannot.
