FLW weighs-up Portsmouth’s options if they want to sign Manchester City midfielder Alex Robertson on a permanent deal
Alex Robertson, a Manchester City midfielder on loan at Portsmouth, has surprised everyone this season under John Mousinho. As such, the team will need to move quickly to secure the services of the gifted young player.
Following their 3-2 victory away at Reading, Pompey is currently leading League One after 15 games, three points ahead of second-place Oxford United.
Portsmouth, who are unbeaten in the League right now, appear to be the favorites to make their first Championship appearance since 2012.
Young midfielder Alex Robertson has been a sensation at the center of Mousinho’s team, starting 13 of their 15 games thus far.
Portsmouth signed the midfielder on loan in the summer after impressive performances in the Manchester City youth system put the young midfielder in the shop window.
Despite featuring at the youth level for England, the 20-year-old has featured twice internationally for Australia. Such is the talent of the City youngster.
It is likely the midfielder will be in high demand come the summer transfer window, so Portsmouth will have to start weighing up their options if they’re to hold onto the Manchester City man.
While it would ultimately be up to Manchester City and Roberston himself, Pompey should begin looking into a permanent deal for the Australian international if they want any chance of holding onto him next season.
Showing their interest in a permanent deal would not only give confidence to the player but also to the fans, who would relish having the Australian midfielder on a permanent deal at the club.
Manchester City have been known to cash in on upcoming young talent, with the likes of Cole Palmer, James Trafford, and Romeo Lavia bringing in over £60 million for the club, despite all having barely featured for the first team.
It is likely City would demand a premium fee for Robertson, given their history of outgoings, but Pompey could be able to sign him on a discount fee if they register their interest soon enough.
Alternatively, the League One leaders could take a leaf out of Sheffield United’s book with how they handled their situation regarding James McAtee.The England U21 international spent the season on loan at the Blades last year and was a key player in their second-place Championship campaign that saw them promoted back to the Premier League once again.
Owing to McAtee’s outstanding play for Sheffield United, Manchester City decided against allowing the young player to leave the team on loan once more, waiting to see how McAtee performed in preseason.
United realized they had the opportunity to bring McAtee back to the team and signed him on a loan late in the transfer window when Manchester City signed Matheus Nunes.
If Robertson does well under Mousinho this summer, a similar circumstance might arise again.
The midfield player is already well-liked by Pep Guardiola, who even asked him to practice with the first team in 2020 when he was just 17 years old.
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