Key Points
- Portsmouth manager John Mousinho said he expects late transfer interest in attacker Adrian Segecic before the deadline passes.
- Birmingham City and Wrexham AFC have placed the 22-year-old Croatian U21 international on their target lists for attacking recruitments.
- Segecic moved to Fratton Park from Sydney FC for a six-figure fee in July 2025, going on to score 10 goals and provide six assists in 38 Championship games last season.
- Mousinho noted that “goals command a premium” and stated Pompey do not need to sell, adding that any deal would require a multi-million pound fee.
- Wrexham listed Segecic on a five-player shortlist alongside Scott Twine and Anis Mehmeti, while Birmingham turned to him after Rokas Pukstas joined Middlesbrough.
PORTSMOUTH (Birmingham Express) September 2, 2026 – Portsmouth manager John Mousinho has publicly addressed the growing transfer speculation surrounding key attacker Adrian Segecic as late-window interest intensifies from EFL rivals Birmingham City and Wrexham AFC.
The 22-year-old Croatian winger, who was signed from A-League Men side Sydney FC in July 2025 for a six-figure training compensation fee, has emerged as a high-value target for multiple clubs following a breakout 2025–26 EFL Championship campaign. Mousinho conceded that while Portsmouth have not received a formal, accepted bid to date, the club fully understands why the player’s goalscoring output and creative consistency have drawn serious attention as the transfer deadline approaches.
What did John Mousinho admit regarding Adrian Segecic’s transfer situation?
As reported by Jordan Cross of The News, John Mousinho explained that he anticipates external interest in Segecic due to the scarcity of dependable goal-creators in the English Football League. Mousinho noted that while Pompey are eager to retain their primary talents, market dynamics dictate that high performers will attract interest from financially ambitious teams.
As reported by Jordan Cross of The News, John Mousinho stated: “Goals command a premium and I’m certain many clubs would be interested… I would not be surprised by a bid because of what he produced last year”.
As reported by Jordan Cross of The News, John Mousinho added that Portsmouth remain under zero financial compulsion to sell, clarifying that: “We signed him for a six-figure sum and the potential return would be significant. I understand the player’s valuation based on the transfers of other players in this league; some players have gone for very high fees this summer and we rate Adrian very highly”.
Which clubs are actively pursuing Adrian Segecic?
According to transfer reporter Alan Nixon via his Patreon platform, North Wales outfit Wrexham AFC have placed Segecic on a refined five-man attacking shortlist headed into the final stages of the transfer window. Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson is aiming to secure a marquee signing capable of playing both as a right winger and in the advanced ‘number 10’ position. Nixon reported that Segecic is featured alongside alternative targets including Bristol City’s Scott Twine, Ipswich Town’s Anis Mehmeti, and Crystal Palace forward Romain Esse.
Simultaneously, as reported by Football League World, Birmingham City have monitored the Croatian winger closely as Chris Davies seeks to address a void in central attacking midfield. Birmingham originally pursued Hajduk Split and United States international midfielder Rokas Pukstas, but after the American agreed to join Middlesbrough, Birmingham pivoted their target strategy toward Segecic.
What is Portsmouth’s stance on a potential sale?
As reported by TransferFeed and The News, Portsmouth have established a firm position that any outgoing transfer must reflect the substantial market inflation seen across the Football League during the summer window. Segecic remains under contract at Fratton Park through to June 2028, placing the club in a strong negotiating position.
Transfermarkt currently values the Croatia U21 international at €4.50 million. However, Pompey hierarchy believe that any acceptable deal must deliver a multi-million pound profit over the £200,000 compensation package paid to Sydney FC when he moved to England.
Background of the particular development after the news
Adrian Segecic arrived in English football in July 2025 having claimed the Isuzu UTE A-League Golden Boot award for Sydney FC, scoring 13 league goals and 18 across all competitions in 2024–25. His adaptation to the Championship was immediate under Mousinho’s tactical setup at Fratton Park, where he featured across both flanks and as an attacking central midfielder.
Over the course of the 2025–26 Championship season, Segecic made 38 appearances, registering 10 goals and 6 assists to help cement Portsmouth’s status in the second tier following their promotion from League One. His quick adaptation and technical profile led to international recognition with Croatia’s U21 squad, while his off-field representation recently transitioned to global agency CAA Base.
Portsmouth’s strategy under their current football leadership has focused on acquiring promising talent from overseas markets—demonstrated by the signatures of Australian players Hayden Matthews, Jacob Farrell, and Thomas Waddingham alongside Segecic—with a clear view toward long-term athletic output and asset value growth.
Prediction: How this development can affect the audience
For the Portsmouth faithful, retaining Segecic past the deadline would signify crucial continuity as the club seeks to push towards the upper half of the EFL Championship table. However, should an extravagant bid from Birmingham City or Wrexham trigger a departure, the short-term tactical disruption would force Pompey into a quick pursuit of a replacement option.
For supporters of Birmingham City and Wrexham AFC, this development underlines the significant financial muscle both clubs possess in their respective efforts to climb the Football League pyramid. Acquiring a player of Segecic’s age profile and proven Championship efficiency would represent a direct signal of promotion ambitions.
For the player’s personal base, a high-value move or continued starring role in the Championship maintains his trajectory toward senior international caps with Croatia, while ensuring Australian football’s domestic pathway continues to gain credibility in European scouting networks.
