PORTSMOUTH are sniffing around Wanderers wing-back Josh Dacres-Cogley but have been told they must pay £500,000 to sign him.

Reports on Sunday claim Jon Mousinho’s promoted side were impressed by the Bolton defender last season and have enquired about how much it would cost to take him to Fratton Park.

Wanderers picked up the 28-year-old on a free transfer from Tranmere Rovers last season, and he was virtually ever-present in League One, playing more minutes than anyone else, and eventually being voted into the divisional team of the season.

A price tag in the region of £500,000 has reportedly been quoted by Bolton – but the fee is likely to be out of Portsmouth’s reach.

Pompey have also recruited at right-back already this season, with Jordan Williams signed on a free transfer from Barnsley to replace the departing Joe Rafferty. Sources close to the south coast club do not expect any further signings to be made in that position.

Ian Evatt has openly admitted this summer that the club would consider offers for their players for the “right price” but that he aimed to maintain a squad that is able to go one better than last season and secure promotion to the Championship.

Wanderers leaned heavily on Dacres-Cogley on their right flank last season but are understood to want to strengthen both wing-back positions this summer.

Luke Matheson returned from a loan spell with Bohemians in Ireland and could present competition this term. Gethin Jones is also viewed as an alternative but has played most of his recent football at centre-half.

Wanderers have far fewer options on the left side now that Randell Williams will miss the start of the season with a foot injury. Jack Iredale is the only senior member of the squad who has played wide left, although both Jones and Dacres-Cogley have filled in there on rare occasions.

Evatt told the club last week that he expected more transfer business to be concluded soon, adding to his three previous additions Chris Forino, Luke Southwood and Klaidi Lolos.

“It's exciting times and exciting to add to this squad,” he said. “There are still some very good players here and it's all systems go and looking to move forwards again.

“Everyone is just focused on getting better. After the summer – and it's been a tough summer – everyone has come back with a mindset and determination to earn the trust back of our fans.

“We lost a bit of that at Wembley but now it's time to regain that and I know come the start of the season the fans will be there for us. We have to make sure we are ready.

“What's important for us is if the league improves, we improve, and that's the message. The league might be better, but I do think we're going to be better as well. We're excited, we're looking forward to it and we know what needs to be done.

"If we can progress again and get better then you don’t need me to tell you where that ends for us, so that’s our sole focus at the moment.”