Portsmouth consider move for player Nottingham Forest sold for £8m | OneFootball

Portsmouth are seriously considering handing a contract to Arvin Appiah

Portsmouth are on the hunt for a new left-back this summer, as they look to push further up the Championship table after a couple of years of second-tier consolidation.

John Mousinho's side have flirted with relegation in both of their years back in the Championship, and with the quality of the league strengthening significantly this summer, they must follow suit.

Pompey have already brought in five new players ahead of the new season, including both striker Marko Milovanovic and midfielder Rocco Shein for seven-figure fees. There is still a focus on bringing in a left-back, though.

First-choice Connor Ogilvie is set to start the season on the sidelines after undergoing knee surgery during the off-season, and there currently isn't a natural replacement, with versatile right-backs Jordan Williams and Zak Swanson as options.

Ideally, Mousinho will be looking to bring in a natural left-footer to offer competition to Ogilvie, and former Nottingham Forest youth prospect Arvin Appiah could be handed a contract, following a few impressive showings on trial.

Portsmouth considering signing former £8 million-rated left-sided player Arvin Appiah

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Appiah has been a free agent since departing Spanish side Almeria this summer, and after featuring as a trialist in games against Bristol Rovers and Wycombe Wanderers, Portsmouth are considering handing him a contract, according to the News.

The 25-year-old's stint at Almeria was massively disappointing, especially given that the second-tier side invested £8 million into him back in 2019 when they signed the left-sided player from Nottingham Forest.

Appiah came through the academy at the City Ground and made a goal-scoring debut aged just 17 off the bench in the EFL Cup against Burton Albion in 2018.

After just seven appearances for the Reds, though, six of which came in the 2018/19 Championship campaign, Forest sold him to ease Financial Fair Play demands.

He hadn't played for Almeria for four years before his release this summer, spending time on loan at Tenerife and Malaga in Spain in the 2022/23 campaign, Rotherham United in the Championship in the 2023/24 term, CD Nacional in the Portuguese top flight the following year and Amiens in the French second division this past season.

Evidently, Appiah needs a fresh start, and Pompey are considering giving him that. The 25-year-old emerged out of the Forest academy as a winger, but has played deeper as his career has gone on, so could slot in at left-back, while offering versatility going forward once Ogilvie returns.

How Portsmouth fans have assessed Arvin Appiah's time on trial

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After featuring for Pompey as a trialist against Bristol Rovers and Wycombe, Portsmouth fans have been able to conclude whether they feel Appiah will be a useful addition to their side this summer.

Overall, the feeling is positive, if he can stay fit and is used initially as a depth option who can seemingly play numerous different positions.

"Actually like the look of Arvin Appiah from what we've seen so far. Could be a very sensible signing for the squad. Can play LB, LW or RW. Which is needed with injury issues. Was nice to finally have a naturally left-footed player down the left too," one Pompey fan said.

"Forest sold him for £8m once, so clearly he has ability," another added, and with the 25-year-old still with time to grow, he could easily rediscover that ability at Fratton Park.

"See no reason why not as long as the salary is not insane. Seems to be getting better with each game so let’s do it," another fan added.

"Gives cover in multiple positions, looked decent but rusty in the 2 friendlies — that comes with not playing a game in 8 months. Don't think there's much to lose with this one if wages are relatively low," was also amongst the replies.

So, if Pompey aren't paying Appiah too much from the off, it's a signing that those in the stands at Fratton Park are, for the most part, excited about.

On a free transfer, it's a low-risk signing. If he can recapture some of that excitement that made him worth £8 million as a teenager seven years ago, Pompey could yield great rewards from it.