Leeds United: Portsmouth's John Mousinho comments on Liam Cooper amid weekend speculation | OneFootball

The Pompey boss has given the latest on his side's links to the 32-year-old

Portsmouth manager John Mousinho appears to have ruled out the possibility of his side signing Liam Cooper this summer, following the centre-back's departure from Leeds United.

That's after the Pompey boss claimed that the Fratton Park club are not looking into a deal to sign the 32-year-old this summer.

Cooper is currently a free agent after leaving Leeds earlier this summer, following the expiration of his contract at Elland Road.

The centre-back has spent the last ten years of his career with the Yorkshire outfit, making over 250 appearances in all competitions, and winning promotion from the Championship back in 2020.

However, it seems that as Cooper now looks for a new club, Fratton Park will not be his next destination.

John Mousinho reacts to Liam Cooper transfer link

Earlier this week, it had been reported by TeamTalk that Portsmouth are targeting a move for Cooper this summer.

Now, however, it appears that is not the case, despite the fact that Mousinho does appear to have a high amount of respect for the Scotland international.

When asked about those reports linking his side with Cooper, the Pompey manager was quoted by The News as saying: "There’s nothing in that. Liam is a fantastic player with massive Premier League pedigree, but, as far as we are concerned, that’s not one we have been looking at at all."

Following their promotion from League One to the Championship at the end of last season, Mousinho has already added eight new signings to his first-team squad at Fratton Park.

Jordan Williams, Jordan Archer, Josh Murphy, Jacob Farrell, Andre Dozzell, Elias Sorensen and the returning Matt Ritchie have all signed permanent deals with the club.

Meanwhile, Sammy Silvera has also joined on a season-long loan from another Championship side in the form of Middlesbrough.

Having played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Leeds on the opening day over the weekend, Portsmouth next face Millwall in the first round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

They then welcome Luton Town to Fratton Park in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.

For his part, Cooper was reported to have held talks with another Championship side, Blackburn Rovers, earlier this summer.

However, no deal has so far materialised to take him to Ewood Park, with suggestions that the two parties were unable to agree on terms relating to the length of contract for the 32-year-old.

Portsmouth still need reinforcement at centre-back

This is arguably an interesting stance for Pompey to take when it comes to a potential deal for Cooper.

With Tom McIntyre and Regan Poole currently unavailable due to injury, the club do still look as though they need to add to their options at centre-back this summer.

Indeed, Mousinho himself has confirmed that he would like reinforcements in that position before the window closes.

Given his experience at this level over many years, Cooper could certainly have been a useful option to come in and take on that role.

Indeed, his availability on a free transfer would also have been helpful from a financial perspective, and made this a low-risk move as well.

With that in mind, many will no doubt be keen to see which other targets Portsmouth have lined up to take on a role at centre-back for them, given there will be pressure on them to get deals right this summer, as they aim to re-establish themselves in the Championship.