Portsmouth ensured another campaign in the Championship with a five-game unbeaten run to end the season and have now reportedly turned their attention to outgoings in the transfer window this summer.
Pompey have top scorer Colby Bishop in attack as first-choice and may look to further add to this area after the winter arrival of 20-year-old Thomas Waddingham.
One player that has been deemed surplus to requirements is 23-year-old Christian Saydee.
Portsmouth Forward To Leave After Two-Year Spell
Saydee has been a regular feature for Portsmouth in the past two campaigns, making a total of 73 appearances and scoring seven goals.
However, despite bagging a brace in a 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough in August, he would make just a further eight starts from that point, scoring once.
The forward averaged just under 40 minutes per game over his 29 appearances and struggled to be a goal threat leading to manager John Mousinho admitting he was grateful to the player for his role but also suggesting he will be allowed to leave this summer.
According to Portsmouth.co.uk, Mousinho outlined his plan to let Saydee depart this summer:
“Christian’s had a pretty good season, to be honest.
“He played more games than he did in League One and he scored the same amount of goals that he did in League One.
So he’s stepped up, scored some important goals and made some important contributions.
“Towards the end of the season when he came back from injury we used him in games, and he’s had a massive impact off the bench.
“That’s been important for us in some huge games.
“Chris is one where we love having him around and I think he’s had a brilliant Portsmouth career so far. There’s a bit of that cult hero about him for various reasons.”
“There’s probably a balance there with Chris, where he might get an opportunity to get more minutes elsewhere.
“We’re not pushing him out of the door at all, but if he has an opportunity I think it would probably be reasonable for us to consider it with Chris.”
EFL Clubs Should Target Former Bournemouth Prospect
Saydee was once on the books of Premier League Bournemouth and did score for the Cherries in a Carabao Cup tie with MK Dons in 2021.
He was also on the bench for the infamous 9-0 drubbing against Liverpool that signalled the end of Scott Parker’s reign at the club.
The 23-year-old had a successful spell in League One with Shrewsbury Town while on loan from Bournemouth, scoring seven times and providing a total of ten goal involvements in 35 third tier outings.
Saydee is an imposing presence in attack and would be shrewd pick up for clubs in the third tier and although it is unlikely he will want drop further down the pyramid, he has all the attributes to be the star of any side in the fourth tier.
Having entered into the final year of his contract, Saydee should command a fee should he make a permanent move this summer.
There had been rumours he was set to move to League One in the winter, but his manager ruled that out at the time.
It is clear, however, that his future lies away from Portsmouth, and there should be competition for his signature from clubs in League One with few players of his calibre openly available.