Portsmouth Closing In on Record-Breaking Marko Milovanović Signing as Details of Major Transfer Emerge
Portsmouth are edging ever closer to confirming one of the biggest signings in the club’s modern history, with Serbian striker Marko Milovanović expected to become a Pompey player in a landmark transfer from Spanish side UD Almeria. As anticipation continues to build among supporters, further details have emerged regarding the financial package that will make the 22-year-old the club’s most expensive signing since their Premier League era.
The towering 6ft 4in forward, affectionately nicknamed “Marezi,” is on the verge of completing a move to Fratton Park after Portsmouth reached an agreement with Almeria following lengthy negotiations. While an official announcement is still awaited, all indications suggest the Championship club is finalising the final stages of the transfer before unveiling their new striker.
Recent reports from Spain have suggested the overall value of the deal stands at approximately €5 million (£4.26 million), although earlier reports had claimed it could rise to €6 million. Sources close to the negotiations indicate that the €5 million figure is the most accurate, consisting of an initial payment of €3.5 million with an additional €1.5 million in performance-related bonuses and add-ons.
Portsmouth are believed to have initially offered around €3 million, but Almeria rejected that proposal, insisting on a higher guaranteed fee while also seeking a sell-on percentage in the event of a future transfer involving the Serbian international. After further discussions, both clubs eventually reached a compromise that satisfied all parties.
The agreement represents a significant statement of ambition from Portsmouth’s ownership under Michael Eisner, who has approved increased investment in the playing squad as the club aims to establish itself as a serious Championship contender. The Milovanović transfer comfortably surpasses every previous deal completed during the Eisner ownership, underlining the club’s willingness to spend at a level not seen for many years.
Until now, Portsmouth’s biggest transfer under the current ownership had been the signing of Australian defender Hayden Matthews, who joined the club for approximately £1.25 million at the beginning of last year, setting a record fee for an A-League defender.
To find a Portsmouth signing costing more than Milovanović, supporters have to look back nearly two decades. In the summer of 2008, the club paid around £6 million to bring French defender Younès Kaboul from Tottenham Hotspur. Earlier that same transfer window, Portsmouth spent a club-record £11 million to re-sign striker Peter Crouch from Liverpool—a record that still stands as the highest transfer fee ever paid by the club.
The impending arrival of Milovanović has generated considerable excitement among Portsmouth supporters, who have watched the club pursue several ambitious transfer targets during an impressive summer recruitment drive. The Serbian striker is viewed as a major addition capable of strengthening Pompey’s attacking options as they prepare for the new Championship campaign.
Milovanović is unlikely to be the club’s final signing of the transfer window. Portsmouth are also closing in on the acquisition of Estonia international midfielder Rocco Shein from Norwegian side Fredrikstad FK in another multi-million-pound transfer. Meanwhile, sporting director Rich Hughes recently confirmed the club’s desire to bring Hull City winger Abu Kamara back to Fratton Park after his successful loan spell.
With several high-profile deals progressing simultaneously, Portsmouth are sending a clear message that they intend to compete aggressively in the Championship, with substantial financial backing helping to reshape the squad ahead of the new season.
