Huddersfield Town, West Bromwich Albion, and Birmingham City are eyeing up a summer move for Portsmouth’s Jay Mingi, according to journalist Alan Nixon.
Mingi is about to enter the final six months of his Portsmouth deal, and now Championship clubs are preparing to act swiftly to sign the midfielder.
The 22-year-old has caught the attention of several sides since breaking into the first team at Pompey. His eye-catching performances, which have showcased his athleticism and ability to drive forward with the ball, have put him on high alert for several second tier sides.
The interested parties are aware of the midfielder’s contract situation and are keeping a close eye on how it develops as they prepare to make offers when he becomes a free agent in the summer.
The report from Nixon also states that the League One club are believed to have offered the 22-year-old a contract extension after his impressive performances in recent weeks in a bid to fend off interest.
However, it is said to be increasingly likely that the midfielder moves on from Portsmouth once his contract expires at the end of the campaign.
The report also states that Championship trio Huddersfield, West Brom, and Birmingham are all monitoring the midfielder’s performances "week in and week out", with them making a move in the summer once Mingi becomes a free agent.
However, these clubs haven’t ruled out the possibility of signing the young midfielder in the upcoming January transfer window if he is hesitant to sign a new contract.
The Verdict
This news will come as a big blow for Portsmouth and Danny Cowley, as Mingi is one of, if not the most, promising talents at the club.
The 22-year-old has managed to break into Cowley’s team and brought a real youthfulness and energy to the side. In the 25 appearances he’s made for Pompey this season so far, he has shown that he is comfortable on the ball and has the presence and confidence to make powerful driving runs forward.
Portsmouth are in a really difficult position now, as they will want time to convince Mingi to sign a new contract at the club; however, January may be the club’s only opportunity to get some money for the youngster instead of losing him for free in the summer.