Portsmouth are hoping to continue their success under John Mousinho as they prepare for their third consecutive Championship season.

It has already been a frantic summer for Pompey, with much conjecture over the future of the manager, who has done an excellent job since his arrival at Fratton Park, including taking the club back to the second division.

However, the previous season was difficult, and while Portsmouth eventually finished 18th, they were uncomfortably looking over their shoulder at times.

Portsmouth prepared to sign Marko Milovanovic in €6 million agreement

So, the task for the south coast club is to improve, and Mousinho will have demanded assistance to do so.

And it appears he will get that support, as Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the club is set to sign Marko Milovanovic from Almeria.

Portsmouth has officially signed Marko Milovanović from Almería. “€6 million fee plus 15% sell-on clause.”

This will be viewed as a statement signing for the Championship club, since it is the highest sum – £5.1 million – they have paid for a player in nearly two decades.

Almeria signed the 22-year-old from Partizan Belgrade after blossoming as a promising potential with the Serbian giants, but he had a difficult debut season in Spain.

As a result, Milovanovic spent last season on loan with Alverca, where he scored nine goals in 31 games and helped the team finish comfortably in the middle of the table.

Portsmouth’s signing of Marko Milovanovic is a positive move.

This is a really positive update for Portsmouth fans, given the owners have been questioned in recent windows about their ambition to move the club ahead.

Similarly, with Mousinho associated with other opportunities, including some clubs that Portsmouth would not consider a step up, there has been speculation over where they are actually headed.

So, in that sense, the club’s move is significant because it demonstrates their commitment to progressing, and it is the type of support Mousinho would have sought.

Of course, patience is required with Milovanovic, who is only 22, and will be arriving in a new country and league.

However, he is undoubtedly skilled, and at 6ft 4in, he possesses the physical skills to flourish in the Championship, demonstrating that his game is more about goals, as Milovanovic is a focal point who can hold the ball up and bring others into play.

Milovanovic’s age makes him an excellent profile for Portsmouth, as he is a player who can make an immediate impact while also increasing his value in the long run.

He had a solid goal return in Portugal last season, and Almeria’s striker record over the years has been remarkable, so bringing him to the club in the first place is a promising sign.

Bringing in a new striker was one of Portsmouth’s top priorities heading into the window, and the club deserves credit for getting this done quickly, as Milovanovic will now be able to train with his new teammates for the majority of pre-season, which will aid in his adaption process.

So, Pompey has had a terrific start to the window, and it will be interesting to see how the XI prepares for their home opener against QPR in August.