Portsmouth Handed Blow In Pursuit Of Le Rou…

Luke Le Roux’s Future Appears To Be Away From Fratton Park. Photo: Gallo Images

Portsmouth have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of a replacement for South African midfielder Luke Le Roux after a deal for Jesper Ceesay fell through.

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The Championship side had agreed an initial €500,000 (approximately R9.3 million) deal with Antalyaspor for the Gambia international, but the transfer collapsed due to work permit issues, according to The News.

Ceesay is not eligible for a GBE visa and does not qualify for an ESC slot after the FA changed the rules for overseas signings.

Failure to Find a Replacement

Head coach John Mousinho has been keen to add a number six after giving Le Roux the go-ahead to leave, but the collapse of the Ceesay deal leaves a glaring hole in midfield.

“We have spoken to Luke about maybe trying to get him some game time elsewhere; that is something all parties are aligned with,” Mousinho revealed last month.

“We would probably look for a loan — but we are open to either a loan or sale,” he added.

Pompey had also failed to bring Gibson Yah to Fratton Park, with the midfielder instead joining Championship rivals Bristol City.

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Le Roux’s Portsmouth Struggles

Le Roux joined Portsmouth from IFK Varnamo for around £1 million (approximately R22 million) in July 2025, but made just 16 appearances in his first season across all competitions, despite making the matchday squad on 44 occasions.

“When he played, he came in and had an impact, but probably for our expectations and for Luke’s expectations last season, he didn’t play enough,” Mousinho said.

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