Portsmouth chief speaks out as West Brom keep keen eye on midfielder Jay Mingi
Portsmouth chief executive Andy Cullen remains confident West Brom transfer target Jay Mingi will commit his future to the South Coast club.
The Sun’s Alan Nixon has revealed (Patreon, 19 December) the Baggies, Birmingham and Huddersfield are all taking a look at the combative 22-year-old midfielder, with the Championship trio potentially eying a January deal.
Mingi is out of contract in the summer of 2023, and at the moment he has failed to agree on an extension at Fratton Park. However, Cullen has revealed negotiations are now underway with the former Charlton youngster.
“We are in dialogue with Jay and his agent. That is one we would love to tie down if we can and remains an ongoing discussion,” Cullen told the Portsmouth News (20 December).
“Jay is one who has come to the forefront this year and had some really good performances. He’s still developing and we also hold compensation rights on the basis we have offered him a contract.”
Moving fast
This feels like a transfer saga which could be resolved in January. If Pompey cannot tie Mingi down to a new deal next month, then it’s likely the League One side would be eager to cash in on the midfielder in January. He has shown more than enough to be capable of playing in the Championship, and at 22, he still has plenty of time to develop.
Mingi was picked up by Pompey in the summer of 2021 after a successful trial and has gone on to make big strides in the first team in the 2022/23 season, after being plagued by injuries in the previous campaign. He would be an excellent addition to Carlos Corberan’s midfield options. The 22-year-old has the ability to drive through the thirds with the ball and carry his team up the field.
Jake Livermore is out of contract in the summer and a younger addition such as Mingi would be a clever piece of business from the Baggies, particularly on a free transfer or for a cut-price in January. This is certainly one to keep close attention to over the coming weeks.
In other West Brom news, Nigel Quashie urges Corberan to manage Dike carefully this season