If Portsmouth were to approve Callum Lang’s departure this month, it wouldn’t be shocking.
Graham Hunt/ProSportsImages Callum Lang Callum Lang
Jordan Cross, a Pompey reporter who has commented on the rumours involving Lang and Preston North End, holds that opinion. Interest in the 27-year-old, who was linked to PNE in the summer, has reappeared this month.
Following the Lancashire Post’s report of North End considering a return to the table for Lang, transfer guru Pete O’Rourke claimed a £1.5million bid had been rejected. It has been suggested that the Fratton Park club value Lang around the £2m mark.
In the summer, Portsmouth stood firm and kept hold of a player that had scored 10 league goals across the 2024/25 season. Lang is now enduring an injury-hit campaign with just nine appearances made.
Speaking on the latest episode of Pompey Talk, Cross said: ‘In the summer, it’s known that there was interest. From Pompey’s end I don’t think that materialised, they were adamant that didn’t materialise into an official bid.
‘I get the feeling that in the summer Pompey would not have got rid of Callum Lang, not a chance, and I just get the feeling there’s been a bit of a shift now for a number of different factors.
‘I just think if Preston were to hit the valuation, I think it happens now – I’ve got a feeling it would happen. I’m leaning towards that happening if they can get there… Callum Lang has started seven games this season.
‘He’s missed two thirds of the games and if you throw in since February when he had his injury and the trio of games in the last 11 months, he’s started 10 games. He’s played 11 games in 11 months.
‘I think it’s quite revealing from supporters because there was real panic in the summer and again, the reaction, I just think there’s been more of a shift to, ‘Okay, if they hit that valuation we should trade now and do that deal’.
‘You’ve got to take the player’s feelings into account as well. John Mousinho says he hasn’t spoken directly to Callum about his situation and he’s got a good relationship with Callum, and if he wants to leave then Callum will come and have a chat to him.
This year, he will become a father. There’s a lot of talk about people in Callum wanting to return to the country, and he’s a Scouse boy. We’ll investigate the specifics of that. However, you must consider his feelings.
“Preston is just an hour away from Liverpool if a player wishes to get closer.” Pompey is fighting for relegation, while Preston is vying for promotion and the play-offs. There are many factors to consider, and I believe that there are more indications that it will occur than that it won’t. It may still go either way.
