English Championship side Portsmouth say they are definitely interested in Finn Harps star Sean Patton.
The 18 year old Drumkeen man is on loan at Finn Park from Derry City this season.
He recently spent a week with Pompey on trial.
Blues boss John Mousinho has confirmed his club will look to land the Republic of Ireland under-19 international, after impressing on trial this summer.
But Mousinho admitted other transfer options will have to take priority, ahead of the Championship opener at Leeds United on Saturday.
Mousinho has now confirmed Pompey will look to do a deal for the teenager, after bringing in midfielder Reuben Swann in similar circumstances this summer.
He said: ‘Sean was always set to go back, so we didn’t have permission to have him for any longer than we did.
‘That’s one that we will work on. It’s not a priority at the moment, but it’s one we’ll work as things move on.
‘I think that Sean did well enough for us to explore that (a move).
‘He’s one for the future, so it would be a development one – hence why it’s not quite a priority at the moment, but he’s definitely one we’re interested in.
‘We’ve done that consistently (looked for young talent) since Rich (Hughes) and I were at the football club.
‘We want to protect the future for Portsmouth, so those kind of players that we can get on decent enough deals and develop as we go through the years are definitely ones everyone wants to see – we’ll keep doing that.’
