Pompey boss John Mousinho had been hoping to lure the playmaker to Fratton Park on a free transfer following his departure from West Brom.

nitial talks had taken place but the News reports that Swift will no longer be making the switch to join Derby’s Championship rivals.

Swift had been a target for Derby on January’s deadline day, but the attacking midfielder opted to stay at West Brom and fight for his place.

John Swift: West Brom sign Reading midfielder on free transfer - BBC Sport

He went on to play 10 more games for Albion after he decided to stay at the Hawthorns and did not feature against the Rams, who beat West Brom 3-1 towards the end of the campaign.

At the end of the season, Swift was released by Albion who had signed him on a free transfer from Reading back in May 2022.

Swift does have other options in the Championship but he also has interest from Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the MLS.

Swift has operated at Championship level throughout his career and he scored 11 goals and registered 10 assists in his final season with Reading in 2021-22.

Six goals and nine assists then followed in his first season with West Brom before he hit nine goals in the 2023-25 season.

Last season was much tougher for the ex-Chelsea man who scored three times and registered just one assist as he darted in and out of the starting XI.

John Swift transfer twist emerges at Portsmouth after contract developments

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