In the end, the dramatic conclusion to the 2020/21 League One season for Portsmouth, was a hugely frustrating one.

Pompey's final day defeat to Accrington Stanley at Fratton Park, combined with Oxford's 4-0 thrashing of Burton Albion, denied Danny Cowley's side a place in the third-tier play-offs this season, right at the final hurdle.

As a result, Portsmouth now know that they will once again be playing League One football during the 2021/22 campaign.

Because of that, the south coast club will now have to pick themselves up and prepare for a busy and important summer transfer window, as they look to put together a squad that can recover from that disappointment and finally secure promotion back to the Championship in the new season.

So with that in mind, we've taken a look right here, at nine transfer rumours from earlier in the year that Portsmouth could revisit in the summer transfer window in order to do that, both in terms of incomings and outgoings.

We start this list with a player who is in fact a familiar face to Portsmouth, in the form of Birmingham City's Steve Seddon.

The left-back was previously on loan with Pompey during the second half of the 2019/20 season, making 18 appearances for the League One club, scoring once, and then Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett admitted he was interested in bringing the defender back to Fratton Park in January.

That ultimately did not happen, but with Seddon having struggled for game time at Birmingham during the second half of this season, and given his contract will expire this summer if the Championship club do not take up their option of a 12-month extension, there could be an opportunity for Pompey to secure that reunion here.

Another familiar face to Portsmouth who they may want to consider bringing back to Fratton Park next season, is Harvey White.

The midfielder is someone who did actually make the move to Portsmouth in January, joining on loan from Tottenham until the end of the season, and he has gone on to make 22 appearances in all competitions for Pompey, scoring once.

Given he has impressed at Fratton Park, but is unlikely to break into Spurs' senior side next season, it could make sense for White to get more regular football with another loan move next season, and it could make sense for Portsmouth to try and give him that opportunity again.

Another midfield option from the Premier League's big club's for Portsmouth to potentially revisit this summer, is Manchester United's Dylan Levitt.

Portsmouth were apparently interested in the Welsh international in January after he was recalled from a loan move to Charlton after a lack of game time for the Addicks, although he would ultimately end up on loan in Croatia with Istra 1961 after the English transfer window had closed.

Given he too may struggle to get game time with his parent club next season, another loan move in search of senior football could make sense for Levitt come the summer, something Portsmouth may want to take advantage of.

One other midfielder who Portsmouth could renew their interest in come the summer comes from slightly further afield, in the form of Michel Ndary Adopo.

Pompey were reportedly interested in a move for the 20-year-old from Serie A side Torino back in January, although he eventually made his way on loan to Viterbese in the Italian third-tier instead.

Even so, Ndary Adopo has already made a handful of appearances for Torino in the Italian top-flight, so this could be worth looking into for Pompey, as they look to add some extra quality to their side for another promotion push, particularly with the chance of regular game time that they may be able to offer the French youth international.

In attack, one option that Portsmouth might want to revisit to add some firepower to their attack, is Sorba Thomas.

Pompey were apparently interested in the attacker last summer following his impressive form for Boreham Wood in the National League, before he eventually moved to Championship side Huddersfield Town in January.

Jackett had already denied speculation of a fresh move for the 21-year-old by Pompey ahead of the January window, but with Thomas having struggled for game time since joining the Terriers, a loan move to adapt to the Football League next season could well be beneficial for him, something which could present an opportunity for Portsmouth.

In terms of outgoings, one player who it could make sense to secure a move away from Fratton Park for this summer, is Haji Mnoga.

Back in January, Portsmouth assistant manager Joe Gallen had dismissed the suggestion of a loan move for the right-back, following an extended spell out of the Pompey matchday squad for the 19-year-old.

However, Mnoga has continued to struggle for opportunities in the senior side this season, making just five league appearances across the course of the campaign, including just two since January, meaning the teenager could benefit from a move elsewhere next season - potentially on loan - in the hope of enjoying more regular game time.

One other player who it could be sensible for Pompey to consider letting go this summer, is centre back Paul Downing.

Despite ending the season with a couple of starts for Portsmouth, Downing has generally struggled for opportunities since joining from Blackburn in the summer of 2019, making just nine league appearances in two seasons at Fratton Park.

The 29-year-old is said to have attracted interest from clubs elsewhere in January, and given his contract is set to expire at the end of next season, it could make sense for Pompey to move him on this summer while they can still receive a fee for him, if his run in the lineup is not going to extend into the new campaign.

Another player who may well be facing something of an uncertain future at Fratton Park this summer, is Jordy Hiwula.

The striker joined Pompey on a short-term deal in October following his release from Coventry, later earning an extension until the end of this season, although Hiwula has made just eight league appearances for Portsmouth, failing to score in those games.

As a result, with his contract now approaching its conclusion, Portsmouth could now look to move Hiwula on to clear space in the squad and wage budget, and they may have an opportunity to do that in January, with Swindon having been linked in January, though their relegation to League Two may have an impact on that.

Admittedly, Portsmouth are unlikely to want to lose Ronan Curtis this summer, but the interest in him is certainly there.

Championship sides Blackburn and Brentford are among those to have been credited with an interest in the winger, who has recently admitted himself that there is interest in him, following his return of ten goals and seven assists in 42 league games this season.

Pompey manager Danny Cowley has insisted that Curtis is not sale this summer, but Portsmouth's failure to win promotion this season could put the pressure on here, and with two years remaining on his contract at Fratton Park, the club would be in a decent position to secure a potentially useful fee for the 25-year-old if they do let him go.