Sporting director reveals shock summer transfer rejection from Manchester City midfielder despite accepted bid | OneFootball

Richard Hughes has revealed that Portsmouth had a transfer bid accepted for former Manchester City midfielder Alex Robertson this summer.

The 2003-born midfielder was one of several City Football Academy stars to move to the Sky Bet Championship during the recent summer transfer window, joining Cardiff City on a permanent deal for an initial £1 million.

Robertson, who was also subject to transfer interest from Portsmouth and Hull City, spent the previous 2023/24 campaign on a season-long loan at Fratton Park, helping Pompey earn promotion to the second division, prior to suffering a hamstring injury during a first-team training session.

The Australian international made 23 league appearances for Portsmouth last season, and has been an unused substitute for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side across the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and Carabao Cup in the past.

The 21-year-old moved to the Etihad Stadium in 2017 from semi-professional club Hakoah Sydney, and has also spent time on loan at Ross County in the Scottish Premiership.

Robertson has made two league appearances for Cardiff so far this season, and scored his first goal for the Welsh club during the second round of the Carabao Cup last month.

The midfielder’s decision to move to the Welsh capital raised some eyebrows at Portsmouth however, with the club’s sporting director revealing that they even had a bid accepted by Manchester City to sign Robertson during the summer.

Dramatically detailing their failed transfer pursuit of the midfielder, sporting director Richard Hughes said: “The club had a bid accepted for Alex, we had backing from the owners, and he chose Cardiff.

“The player is always going to have their decision on where they want to go. In this scenario, Alex chose to go to Cardiff and we wish him the best.

“Without wanting to be flippant or dismissive, the reason for his decision would be a question for Alex and those closest to him. He picked Cardiff, he felt it was the right step for him, we wish him the absolute best for 44 of their 46 games this season. He’s a great young man and I’m sure he will go on to have a good career.”

Manchester City pocketed over £140 million from player sales during the summer window, with Micah Hamilton also permanently moving to the Sky Bet Championship, signing for Middlesbrough.

The Sky Blues’ agreement with Cardiff for Robertson also includes a 25% sell-on clause, and the potential for the transfer fee to rise to £3 million, according to outlet WalesOnline.