Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett has cooled down speculation linking the club with a move to sign Aston Villa forward Scott Hogan.

The 26-year-old has endured a difficult time at Villa Park since his multi-million pound switch from Brentford in 2017, despite flourishing under Dean Smith at Griffin Park, scoring 21 goals in 27 league starts for the Bees.

But the striker has fallen massively out of favour in the West Midlands, making just one start for the Villans this term, which came in the FA Cup against Swansea City, and has scored just 10 goals in 61 games for the club.

Rumours linking Pompey with an ambitious loan swoop for Hogan emerged on social media on Sunday morning, but Blues boss Jackett has immediately played down those rumours, insisting that the club have not enquired about the striker.

"Hogan is not one we have enquired about - I have spoken to the Aston Villa people with regards to Andre (Green) in the last week or so about calling him back, but he (Hogan) is not one we have gone for," he told Portsmouth News.

"I don’t know what his wages are, but I believe he went for £9million (from Brentford)."

Pompey reportedly remain in the hunt for another centre forward as they look to cement their position at the top of League One. The South Coast club currently sit one point clear of Luton Town, after back-to-back successive defeats in the league against Blackpool and Oxford United.

The Verdict

What a coup Hogan would have been for Pompey, but it was never going to happen was it?

He may be out of favour at Villa, but his wages are surely too high for a League One team to afford.

Pompey should reassess their options, as they look to secure promotion to the Championship this season - perhaps Mo Eisa from Bristol City could prove to be a shrewd loan signing for the Blues.

Thoughts? Let us know!