Newcastle United, Wolves swoop in for Portsmouth starlets

Portsmouth are heading up for the Championship and as a result, this summer is bound to be a busy one at Fratton Park. John Mousinho will be looking to make a host of signings to prepare his squad for second-tier football. There are a number of players who have departed or returned to their loan clubs that need replacing while upgrades will be sought too. Image courtesy of: ANDREW COULDRIDGE/REUTERS. However, the League One title winners aren’t only undergoing big changes at senior level. It was confirmed that Portsmouth will be bidding farewell to a number of their scholars as they step up to the Championship too. Now, two more academy prospects look to have been snapped up. The News reports that teenagers CJ Amufuzor and Xander Grieves are joining Newcastle United and Wolves respectively as they step up to Premier League academies. Both Pompey prospects are moving for fees, and there are incentives in their deals that will see Portsmouth receive more if achieved. A lot has been made of Portsmouth letting go of so many young players this summer. Clubs up and down the country supply their senior ranks with academy prospects, but it’s been a while since Pompey saw one emerge and break into the side. Of those currently on the books, young goalkeeper Toby Steward looks to be on the right path as he bids to forge a career in the game. Image courtesy of: ADAM HOLT/REUTERS. The likes of Amufuzor and Grieves are highly-rated prospects who perhaps could have made it into the side at Fratton Park too. However, with Newcastle United and Wolves swooping in, they’ll be taking their next steps away from the south coast. One thing for sure is that the numerous outgoings paves the way for some new youngsters to either join the club or step up from lower levels of the youth ranks. While a lot of the recent focus has been on those who will be leaving Fratton Park, the transfer window opens on Friday. That is sure to kick things into action for clubs up and down the country. Some have already announced deals and clubs will have signings sealed, with Portsmouth hopefully among them. The official opening of the transfer window and expiry of players’ contracts later this month will likely prompt a host of signing confirmations. Pompey are in for a busy window, so they’ll be keen to be among those striking deals early. Their swift business last summer was key in enjoying a fruitful pre-season before their title-winning campaign, so Mousinho and co will be keen to repeat that this time around as they look to affirm their place in the Championship.