Ipswich Town: Portsmouth boss wants striker Joe Pigott back

Pigott spent the 2022/23 campaign on loan at Pompey, scoring seven goals in 44 games.

He only started 16 of those matches though, largely down to the great form of fellow striker Colby Bishop, who bagged 24 goals.

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But boss Mousinho said he really rates Pigott, who has one year left on his contract with the Blues and appears to be surplus to requirements as Town head into the Championship.

Mousinho told the Portsmouth News: "I don’t know what Ipswich’s plans are for Joe next year.

"I’ve asked him to let us know what that looks like. I don’t know if they want to loan him out or possibly see if there's a permanent deal out there for him.

"But we would be interested in bringing him back and I’ve had a conversation to Joe about that. It’s going to be a case of finances and what he wants to do.

"We really, really value what he did for us this season – and I’ve told him that. I thought he was excellent.

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"When we used him as a nine he did really well, while when needed as a 10 or a wide left – as in the last game of the season – he was brilliant.

"He’ll now have interest from clubs that will want to play him for 46 games next year, but that probably isn’t the case here because of how well Colby has done. We want to be honest with Joe about that.

Pigott scored seven goals on loan at Pompey this season (Image: Pagepix/PortsmouthFC)

"We’ve been playing one up top and I don’t think anyone would argue Colby fully deserves his place in the side – so that has been difficult for the other two centre-forwards.

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"If Joe wants to be right in with a chance of playing 46 games, that’s probably not here, so that’s something he needs to think about.

"But, if there is an option to bring him back, that’s something we would entertain."