According to the latest reports from the News, Portsmouth have given an indication on what price they will be willing to sell their star winger Jamal Lowe. The report mentions that the Pompey are valuing him significantly higher than £2m. Until now it was understood that the winger could be available around the £2m mark.
Clubs like Leeds United, West Bromwich Albion, Cardiff City and Wigan Atheltic are said to be in the race for him. The Pompey missed out on promotion as they lost the playoff semi-finals to Sunderland. Therefore Lowe can move to a higher division in the next season.
Why Bielsa needs wingers?
The Whites are in a similar boat as Portsmouth as they too lost in their playoff semifinals. Marcelo Bielsa is set to continue for another season, and the club needs to add more options in the wing department. The club often played with makeshift players in their non-preferred positions on various occasions. The right wing spot was usually occupied by Pablo Hernandez, who had an impressive campaign.
However, he is already 34, and there were signs which suggested that he was struggling to stretch play in the wide regions. The Spaniard looked more effective in central areas, and he often drifted inside playing from the right. Lowe can be a traditional winger who will take on fullbacks and stretch play and attack from the wide areas.
Impressive form and style of play
The 24-year-old provided 17 goals and nine assists in all competitions last season. The Englishman is known for his pace and trickery and his direct style of play. Lowe is also useful for his team defensively, as he often tracked back to help his fullback. Given his work rate and style of play, we think that he would be a good signing for the Whites.
He might not be able to come up with similar attacking returns in a higher division, but his performance in League One has shown that he can find the right pass or move in the final third. Leeds United have been guilty of squandering far too many chances in the attacking third after good build-up play.
How much should the Whites be willing to pay?
Lowe has his contract at Fratton Park until 2020, and the Pompey would definitely want to extract the best fees for him. However, the prospective clubs might be unwilling to come with a higher offer as the player is set to enter into the final year of his contract. The Whites should look to sign him in the summer, and anything below the £3m mark would be a decent bet.
