Kenny Jackett admits Portsmouth eyed recruiting Rotherham's Freddie Ladapo
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Now the striker is bidding to inspire their downfall when he tonight visits with Rotherham (7.45pm).
Kenny Jackett admits the Blues had eyed the former Plymouth man during their close-season search for forward additions.
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Hide AdPompey’s boss downplays the extent of their interest, although it is understood a fee was agreed with Argyle for Ladapo's services.
However, the move collapsed following a breakdown over the former Crystal Palace man’s wage demands.
Days later, Pompey completed a swoop for Ipswich’s Ellis Harrison, who has enjoyed an encouraging start to life on the south coast.
As for Ladapo, he subsequently completed a switch to Rotherham, where he has netted seven times in 19 appearances this season.
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Hide AdAnd having struck twice as a half-time substitute at MK Dons on Saturday, Ladapo is in the frame to tonight face the club he came close to joining.
Jackett said: ‘We did look at him, he has been on one or two of our lists, as have other players.
‘Rotherham overall have a very good squad and certainly the (attacking) four positions have quite a number of good options – and he is one of them.
‘We weren't close, but there was a consideration, definitely.
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Hide Ad‘He scored goals last year and is a player experienced at the level, an experienced League One centre-forward.
‘He was a consideration, it didn’t quite come off. We weren’t necessarily close to it, but he’s a player everybody knows well because he was playing at Plymouth last year, a club in our league.’
Pompey’s summer interest in Ladapo was influenced by 19 goals in a relegation campaign for the Pilgrims.
Jackett added: ‘Ladapo is a centre-forward with a little bit of pace about him.
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Hide Ad‘I suppose, as always happens, you need different combinations of players around you, whether that is tactical or just the manager’s choice.
‘But everybody needs a complement around, one way or another, to be able to produce their best football.’
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