Portsmouth set to move for 21-year-old Central Coast Mariners defender | OneFootball

Pompey are looking to strengthen their squad after winning promotion from League One

Portsmouth are reportedly keen on signing 21-year-old Central Coast Mariners defender Jacob Farrell as John Mousinho and his side prepare for life in the Championship.

The BBC's Andy Moon reported on X that Pompey are keen on a move for the Australian Under-23 international, but the deal isn't over the line yet, meaning that the club have work to do in order to secure the left-back's signature.

Farrell is highly-rated in Australian football, featuring prominently in a Central Coast Mariners side that has won the last two A-League titles, and he was also included in the PFA A-League Team of the Season for the 2023/24 campaign, after his two goals and four assists in 25 appearances helped his side make it back-to-back title wins.

Portsmouth's interest in Jacob Farrell

Following their promotion from League One to the Championship, Mousinho is looking to strengthen his squad to ensure his Pompey side are able to compete in the second tier this coming season.

The likes of Jordan Archer, Josh Murphy and Jordan Williams have all been added to Mousinho's ranks on a permanent basis, while Australian winger Samuel Silvera has joined the club on a season-long loan from Middlesbrough.

Pompey have had some recent success in the Australian market after Kusini Yengi joined the club from Western Sydney Wanderers last summer, and should Farrell join, he'd become the third Australian in Mousinho's squad following Silvera's arrival.

Australia international Alex Robertson also spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Pompey, and the club are said to be keen to re-sign him from Man City, so there could be as many as four Australians at Fratton Park if they're successful in their transfer pursuits.

It's clear that Pompey's recruitment team believe that they can have further success in signing players from the A-League, and it would appear to be a real coup if they could get a deal over the line for Farrell.

Last December, Australian outlet Roar described Farrell as "one of the best full-backs in Australia", and described him as a "defensive-minded full-back, also capable of providing attacking opportunities for his teammates."

After winning seven caps for Australia's U23 side, it appears to be a matter of time before he makes his senior debut for the Socceroos, and with plenty of senior A-League experience under his belt, he shouldn't have too much trouble adapting to the Championship should he make the move to Portsmouth.

Pompey don't have the spending power that some Championship clubs have, so they have to look away from traditional markets to sign hidden gems and the A-League has served them well in the past.

Whilst a deal isn't over the line yet for Farrell, it would be a statement of intent should they sign the two-time Australian champion, and it would appear to be a big boost to their survival hopes.

John Mousinho could have a selection headache if Jacob Farrell deal is completed

Pompey already have two senior options at left-back, with both Jack Sparkes and the experienced Connor Ogilvie at Mousinho's disposal.

Sparkes joined the club from Exeter City last summer and made 43 appearances for the club in all competitions as they lifted the League One title, while Ogilvie has been at the club since 2021, and recently signed a two-year contract extension at Fratton Park, showing that he's a player set to play an important role this season.

With that in mind, Pompey aren't perhaps all that desperate to sign another left-sided defender, but perhaps a move for Farrell is just too good to turn down given his growing reputation in Australia.

If Farrell does join, Mousinho would have a headache when it comes to trying to keep all of his left-back options happy, but strength in depth creates competition, and having a number of quality players in the same position would be a nice problem to have for the Pompey boss.