Portsmouth set to beat QPR and Sheffield Wednesday to Brentford midfielder | OneFootball

Portsmouth are closing in on their second January signing.

Portsmouth set to win Myles Peart-Harris race

John Mousinho is reportedly set to capture his second January addition with the loan signing of highly-rated Brentford midfielder Myles Peart-Harris.

According to BBC Solent Sport's Andrew Moon (via his personal X account), the Blues appear to have beaten off competition from Queens Park Rangers to secure the 21-year-old's services.

Peart-Harris has been a man in-demand during the winter window, with a number of Championship clubs reportedly interested.

TeamTalk claimed (12 January) the likes of Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield Town were also sounding out the midfielder ahead of a potential switch.

Is Myles Peart-Harris what Portsmouth need?

A replacement for Manchester City starlet Alex Robertson was always on the agenda for Mousinho.

The 20-year-old certainly made his mark at Fratton Park, however, a torn hamstring means the Australian has probably played his last game of the 2023/24 campaign.

Four assists and one goal doesn't particularly catch the eye, however, Robertson's ability to dictate matches from a slightly deeper position has been vital during Pompey's rise to the top of League One.

The question is, can Peart-Harris be the man to replace Robertson and steer Pompey's automatic promotion bid back on track?

The former Chelsea youngster spent the 2022/23 campaign on loan with struggling Forest Green Rovers.

With 40 League One fixtures already under his belt, the attacking midfielder will be hoping to kick on and improve his output for Mousinho's side in the second half of the season.

Forest Green were, without a doubt, the worst team in the third tier during the 2022/23 campaign. Peart-Harris operating alongside some of the best players in the division could see his attacking output increase.

Richard Hughes helps Portsmouth win Myles Peart-Harris race

If Pompey do eventually win the race for the Premier League youngster, they will surely have Richard Hughes to thank.

The Blues' sporting director has overseen a change in transfer strategy over the past three windows, with an eye to younger talent.

Hughes previously held a similar role at Forest Green and was key to bringing Peart-Harris to The New Lawn in August 2022; there's no doubt the sporting director's relationship has played a part.

Looking forward, a central defender needs to be on the agenda for Hughes and Mousinho. Regan Poole's ACL injury has stunted the Blues' promotion ambitions.

Sean Raggett has been superb since coming into replace the Welshman, but a ball-playing, progressive option is still required at PO4.

reportedly emerged as a target, but whether a loan deal can be concluded remains to be seen.