John Mousinho is currently fixated on ensuring Portsmouth end their 12-year exodus from the Championship.
The Blues sit six points clear of second-placed Bolton Wanderers, having played the same number of games.
Trickier tests are to come, but there’s no doubt Pompey are in a superb position to finally end their seven-season stay in League One.
Sporting director Richard Hughes will be planning for the summer window, with two plans potentially in place to cover promotion or another season in League One.
One player who has repeatedly popped up on Pompey’s radar is Brighton and Hove Albion’s 22-year-old midfielder Marc Leonard.
Portsmouth interested in Marc Leonard
The Scotland under-21 international has been lauded as a “starlet” by the press north of the border and has undoubtedly caught attention during his loan spell with Northampton Town this season.
According to Footballtransfers.com, Leonard is appreciated by Mousinho, and the Pompey boss was even present at one of the Cobblers’ fixtures in February.
However, the 37-year-old insisted that he was only watching Oxford United in preparation for the Blues’ upcoming fixtures.
“Genuinely, I can say the reason I was at the Oxford game and focus on what I’m trying to do now is opposition preparation. That’s particularly with regard to the fact we don’t have any Tuesday games,” he told The News.
“Of course, if I pop up at an under-21 game or a League Two game, it’s probably to watch a player – but going to the Oxford game was all about making sure we’re ready to play Oxford next week.”
Nevertheless, Mousinho was still complimentary of the midfielder.
“Marc is a really good, young prospect, but one who is contracted to Brighton and playing for Northampton as far as we’re concerned. In terms of recruitment for me, that is way off my radar at the moment,” he added.
Portsmouth must now be on red alert
Since rumours emerged about the midfielder, he has been in fine form for the Cobblers, and he scored during the Fratton Park loss last month.
The 22-year-old has scored four goals and registered three assists in his last ten matches. Considering Alex Robertson’s injury and the unlikeliness of a second loan move, pursuing Leonard could be an astute business.
Creative midfielders can be hard to come by, with plenty of clubs searching for similar players. If Pompey do want to land the midfielder, then moving quickly would be in their best interest.
According to the Coventry Telegraph, Coventry City are also interested and tried to sign the young Scot during the January window.
This could certainly be one to keep a close eye on when the summer transfer window opens, particularly if the Blues are promoted to the Championship.