In an attempt to bolster their defence, Pompey is keeping an eye on Jordan Williams, a right-back who played 51 games for the Tykes the previous season.

The right-back, who left Barnsley at the end of the season, has become a target for the Blues.

Prior to Friday’s opening of the summer transfer market, it is thought that the 24-year-old, who has previously spent two seasons in the Championship, is also of interest to Cardiff.

Williams spent six seasons with the Tykes, making 201 appearances and scoring nine goals. The Tykes were promoted from League One in 2018–19.

Additionally, he played against Pompey in both of the sides’ previous season encounters, notably the thrilling 3-2 triumph in April that brought the League One championship to Fratton Park.

As Barnsley’s captain the previous year, Williams made 51 appearances—all starts—and scored one goal in every League One match.

After Joe Rafferty left and the Blues decided not to pick up Zak Swanson’s option, right-back is a position they want to improve this summer.

Swanson may still be around since Pompey and the 23-year-old are currently negotiating the potential of Swanson signing a new contract to prolong his stay on the south coast.

However, Williams has the experience and leadership to fill the position as there isn’t a single contracted right-back available before the Championship return.

With 58 appearances in the Championship, the former Huddersfield player established himself as a stalwart of Oakwell after joining for an undisclosed transfer price in August 2018.

He was released, along with players including top scorer Devante Cole, Herbie Kane, and Nicky Cadden, after Barnsley’s play-off loss to Bolton in the League One semi-final.

After leaving Derby County, Conor Hourihane has completed his return to Barnsley and praised his feeling of being “home” again.

The Irishman signed a multi-year contract with the Tykes as a player/coach, and in two years he will take over as first-team coach. While at Derby, Hourihane was pursuing his coaching qualifications and had expressed his desire to transition into management and coaching for some time.

Although he was let go by Derby at the end of the previous year, he will be remembered for his leadership in leading the team to its first League One promotion in 17 years by finishing second.

“To start the next phase of my career here, at a club I have such a history with, is special to me and my family,” he said on the club’s official website. His transfer to Barnsley brings him back to the team that helped him land a major move to Aston Villa. I’m eager to return to Oakwell as a player and become a member of Darrell’s coaching team. I feel as though I’m at home.

Conor’s experience in the facility will be crucial, so it’s an exciting day for all of us’, said Tykes head coach Clarke.

Conor has played in over 600 games at every level, including the Premier League and Ireland’s international team. As a result, he has seen it all in the game, making him a fantastic coach and an invaluable mentor for our young team.

“This trade is made more sweeter by the fact that he will still be a player I can rely on. The hard work of pre-season planning is already well underway. As soon as we met last week, I knew this is someone I would be happy to have into my staff and into my squad.

“We are delighted to bring Conor home as he looks to continue on to the next phase of his phenomenal football career here at Oakwell,” stated Sporting Director Mladen Sormaz.Conor’s return exemplifies what Barnsley, as a town, takes pleasure in being: a place of possibilities. While it’s obvious from his performances with a team that won a promotion last season that Conor has a lot to offer on the pitch, it’s impressive that he wants to apply the same level of effort to his coaching career.

Few teams are lucky enough to have a senior player who has a stellar reputation for professionalism, devotion, and love of the game return to start a coaching career and still be able to make an impact as a member of the playing team. We are thrilled to reconnect with Conor and be a part of his ongoing adventure, as well as to welcome him back to our ardent fan base.

After joining Derby in the summer of 2022, Hourihane played nearly 100 games and scored 12 goals in the league for the team. He scored a pivotal late goal to help his team defeat Burton Albion 3-2 last season.

Right-backs are needed by Pompey this summer as they prepare for the Championship.

Pompey hopes to assemble a team that will be competitive in the Championship the following season, thus they will be strengthening in every area this summer.
There are obvious voids to be addressed after six first team players were released when their contracts came to an end and four loanees concluded the season at Fratton Park. A successful transfer window is also important because, as they go to a higher level of football, they will naturally need to build on what they already have.

However, some members of John Mousinho’s team require more surgery than others, and the right-back position for the Blues is one such example.Zak Swanson appears likely to follow Joe Rafferty out of the team, leaving Pompey without a recognised right-side full-back at the moment.

Thus, Rich Hughes, the sporting director, has that as a top priority to handle in the upcoming weeks. What, though, are his options and what’s out there?

Since the Blues have often stated that funds will be made available for the correct acquisitions, the Fratton Park team will have the opportunity to spend this summer strengthening. However, Hughes & Co. will continue to search for sales. In an effort to save costs and make astute hiring decisions, they will also be examining the options on the free-agent market.

Which free agent right-backs might therefore be residing at Fratton Park come football season? We looked into the Championship and League One to find out, and this is what we found out.

1. From left: Reuell Walters, Jordan Williams, Danny McNamara and Cody Drameh

From left: Reuell Walters, Jordan Williams, Danny McNamara and Cody Drameh

2. Leeds United’s Cody Drameh

The 22-year-old defender for Leeds United played 30 times across all competitions while on loan at Birmingham in the 2023–24 season. 2020 saw him go from Fulham to Leeds for £350,000. Drameh, who is valued at 3 million euros by transfermarkt.com, has a tonne of Championship experience after stints on loan at Cardiff and Luton.

3.Millwall’s Danny McNamara

The Irishman came through the Lions youth ranks and has made 134 appearances for the team. Using his flexibility, McNamara played 33 times in the Championship last season, making 21 league starts for Millwall. Being able to play behind the defence would make him a compelling option for Pompey. Additionally, he has extensive knowledge of the region due to his loan stint with the Hawks in 2019.

4. Barnsley Jordan Williams

Over the last six years, the 24-year-old has played for Barnsley, making over 200 appearances for the Tykes. During the 2023–24 season, 52 of those appearances occurred, 45 of which were starts as Bolton destroyed Barnsley’s chances of promotion in the play-off semifinals. a dependable and versatile performer with continued growth.