Portsmouth

Bolton and Sheffield United have joined Portsmouth in the race to sign Plymouth Argyle striker Bim Pepple. The 23-year-old scored 18 goals in 41 appearances in all competitions for Argyle last season. (The News), external

You can find more of Tuesday's EFL gossip here.

Image source, Getty Images

The two South Coast derbies between Southampton and Portsmouth next season have both been moved to Sunday kick-offs.

The game at St Mary's will now go ahead on Sunday, 11 October (12:00 BST) with the return at Fratton Park on Sunday, 28 February (12:00 GMT).

The two sides met last season in the Championship for the first time since the 2011-12 campaign following Southampton's relegation from the Premier League.

Both games ended in draws with a goalless stalemate at St Mary's in September and a 1-1 draw at Fratton Park in January.

The last league win by either side in the derby came in April 2005 when Portsmouth won 4-1 in the Premier League.

Image source, Getty Images

Portsmouth's oldest living ex-player, former centre-forward Peter Higham, has died, aged 95.

Higham was the last surviving playing link with the Pompey teams that won the First Division title in 1948-49 and 1949-50.

He joined the club in 1948 as an amateur while serving in the Royal Marines, and made one appearance in Pompey's successful defence of their title in 1949-50.

Higham turned down the offer of a professional contract at Fratton Park, and chose to move back up north, joining Bolton Wanderers in 1950.

He went on to score 10 goals in 15 matches for Preston North End, before moving to Nottingham Forest where he won a Division Three (South) title medal in 1956.

Portsmouth have entered talks to sign Serbian striker Marko Milovanovic from UD Almeria but the Spanish side are asking for £3.5m for the 22-year-old. (Antonio Martinez via X - in Spanish), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Thursday's gossip column here.

Portsmouth are set to sign English midfielder Odin Bailey on a free transfer after the 26-year-old departed Stockport County this summer. (Sam Byrne via X), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Wednesday gossip column here.

Portsmouth are considering lodging a bid for Hull City's English winger Abu Kamara, 22. (Hull Daily Mail), external

Centre-back Ibane Bowat, 23, who has represented Scotland Under-21s, has been given the all-clear to leave Portsmouth this summer by Pompey boss John Mousinho. (Portsmouth News), external

For more transfer news and rumours, read Tuesday's full gossip column here.

Andrew Moon
BBC Radio Solent's Portsmouth commentator

There is always a lot to discuss on the opening day of pre-season but today's interview by John Mousinho with BBC Radio Solent was particularly fascinating.

His honesty over what happened regarding the Bristol City management job is rare in football.

Yes, there was interest, but it did not get beyond Bristol City speaking to Mousinho's agent, according to the Portsmouth boss.

It is interesting, given their respective CVs, that the opening was offered to Lincoln City's Michael Skubala, who accepted, and - reportedly - Bournemouth coach Tommy Elphick ahead of Mousinho.

The playing budget will increase for next season and Pompey are set to spend more than in previous summers.

There will have to be departures. Mousinho far from guaranteed that Colby Bishop will remain a Pompey player this summer. Free-agent midfielder Archie Collins can be crossed off the list of potential targets, Mousinho says.

He would not be drawn on what could be achieved this season, instead suggesting we will have a better idea at the start of the campaign.

There might not be any matches but July is a big month for Portsmouth. Recruiting well will certainly help ensure that, even if another club come calling for their head coach, Pompey might be able to hold on to Mousinho for a while longer.

Portsmouth are now favourites to win the race to sign Estonian midfielder Rocco Shein. Cardiff City and Millwall have also shown interest in the 22-year-old who currently plays for Fredrikstad in the Norwegian top flight. (Fredrikstad Blad - in Norwegian), external

Want more EFL transfer gossip? Read more of Friday's headlines here.

The EFL fixture list is out and we know you are bursting to know what you have got to look forward to - or dread - from your team this upcoming season.

Here are some key dates to put in your diary:

• 15 August 2026 - QPR (H)

• 10 October 2026 - Southampton (A)

• 24 October 2026 - Millwall (H)

• 26 December 2026 - Watford (H)

• 29 December 2026 - Millwall (A)

• 1 January 2027 - Birmingham City (A)

• 27 February 2027 - Southampton (H)

• 1 May 2027 - West Ham (A)

See Portsmouth's full fixture list here.

Portsmouth have opened talks with UD Almeria striker Marko Milovanovic. The 22-year-old has 12 months left on his contract with the Spanish Segunda Division side but spent last season on loan with Alveca in Portugal. (The News), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at - gossip column here.

The EFL will reveal its fixture list for the 2026-27 season on Thursday.

Want to know who your team will face on opening day? The fixtures will be announced at 12:00 BST - but that is not all.

The draws for the group stage of the Vertu Trophy and the first round of the Carabao Cup will also take place.

So check back on 25 June to see who your team faces first, last and everything in between.

Portsmouth have reignited their interest in signing Dundee's Scottish defender Luke Graham, 22, who is also wanted by Scottish Premiership giants Rangers. (The Herald), external

For more transfer news and rumours, read Monday's full gossip column here.

Portsmouth, Preston North End and QPR have all been linked with a move for Swansea City's 26-year-old English right-back Josh Key. (Football League World), external

For more transfer news and rumours, read Friday's full gossip column here.

Portsmouth have been heavily linked with a move for Dutch midfielder Gibson Yah from Eerste Divisie side FC Volendam, whose sporting director Patrick Busby said he does not expect the 22-year-old to remain at the club next season. (Portsmouth News), external

For more transfer news and rumours, read Thursday's full gossip column here.