Portsmouth ‘sign’ £4.25m target, but his current club are unaware of agreement

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Portsmouth have ‘signed’ Mjallby ace Abdoulie Manneh on a ‘pre-contract’, according to reports.

The 20-year-old, who has scored nine goals and grabbed three assists in 27 appearances this season, was linked with Pompey this summer.

That came after West Ham loanee Freddie Potts’ loan ended after helping John Mousinho’s side finish 16th in their return to the Championship.

Mjallby slapped a £4.25million price tag on him amid reported interest from Brighton, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bournemouth. Now, reports suggest Pompey have won his signature – but Mjallby have no idea.

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Mjallby’s Abdoulie Manneh ‘signs pre-contract’ with Portsmouth

According to Alan Nixon via his Patreon, Gambia international Manneh’s agent says he has ‘signed’ for Pompey ahead of the January window.

His adviser David Moss has told Nixon he has sorted a pre-contract.

Mjallby, however, are said to not be aware of any agreement for a fee with any club. Manneh is under contract until the summer of 2027, so a pre-contract could not be signed.

He was set to sign for Olympiacos this summer, but there was a dispute involving agents and claims he failed a medical, which were denied.

Portsmouth spending big on Abdoulie Manneh is a risk

Manneh has played across the front of Mjallby’s team, on the wing, in midfield and as a centre forward.

Spending big on an unproven 20-year-old could be a risk, given Pompey spent £3.6million on all their signings this summer.

Conor Chaplin’s return has boosted Pompey’s squad and Colby Bishop has been starting up top for Mousinho, while Murphy, Adrian Segecic and Florian Bianchin have been sitting in behind him.

Chaplin could make his Portsmouth return in the south coast derby against Southampton on Sunday, demonstrating the reduced need for Manneh.