John Mousinho, the head coach of Portsmouth, has acknowledged that the team is now waiting to see if Manchester United decides to activate a one-year extension in Di'Shon Bernard's contract at Old Trafford.
After seeing Bernard's performances while on loan at Fratton Park from the Red Devils, Pompey is eager to sign him on a permanent basis.
Bernard signed a short-term contract with Portsmouth earlier this year, and throughout the second half of the season, he made 10 appearances for the team.
In the latter weeks of the season, Mousinho used the 22-year-old as a center-back.
In Portsmouth's matches against Oxford United, Accrington Stanley, Derby County, and Wycombe Wanderers, Bernard played in this specific position.
By earning a point in their match against the Chairboys on the penultimate day of the season, Mousinho's team was able to secure an eighth-place finish in League One.
Portsmouth, who will compete in this league once more the following year, could increase their chances of continuing their push for promotion if they are successful in attracting new players this summer.
Mousinho indicated that the club is presently waiting to see what decision United makes regarding Bernard's contract predicament in relation to the club's pursuit of Bernard.
Speaking to The News, Mousinho said: "Firstly, Manchester United have the option on him, so we’ll see what they want to do and then go from there."
"My gut feeling on him is positive, but he's a Manchester United player at the moment and, if they take his contract up, it's a very different situation from if they don’t."
"We’ll have to have a look at that, see what they do, and get in touch with them over the next couple of weeks."
"It has been really important seeing Di’Shon starting in the team over the last four matches."
"He’s versatile, has played right-back and in both centre-half positions, performing really well in all three of those slots."
"There's a huge amount of improvement within him.
"What’s Di’Shon’s ceiling?
"It's hard to tell, but he is right up there in terms of where he can go.
"These are very, very exciting times for him, regardless of where he is.
"His loan has been positive and, although he might not feel like that because he hasn’t played as many games as he’d like, to perform as well as he has done over the last four matches is a huge reflection on him."
"He has a bright future.
"I don’t know if Di’Shon wants to stay, I will speak to him this week, but I’d like to think he knows the demands we put on him and the way we want to play suits him."
Portsmouth would be doing well with this transaction because Bernard has the potential to be a sophisticated businessman at this level.
Due to Bernard's present contract position, Pompey will be required to pay a fee regardless of what United decides to do with him regarding his future; yet, it may end up being a wise long-term investment for the team.
It would not be at all remarkable if Bernard, should he secure a move to Fratton Park, goes on to become an important member of the team's starting eleven later this year. During his loan with Portsmouth, he received some experience in League One.
Pompey supporters have been clamoring to see more of the central defender, who's been unfortunate in that he's received relatively little playing time after an injury hampered his development when he arrived in January.
The former Hull loanee added that, although United has the option to prolong his stay, his current contract with the Premier League club expires this summer. However, he believes he will be moving on because Pompey has a lot to offer as they try to advance next season under John Mousinho.
When asked about his future, Bernard said: "I’m concentrating on the season and playing these last couple of games. In the summer we can then think about it."
"Yes (Pompey would be a good place to play). It’s a nice ground with good fans and a good atmosphere. The club is showing ambition and wants to push for the Championship next season, so we’ll see in the summer. There’s an option on my contract (at United), but I think I’m going to be moving on in the summer."
With seven Pompey appearances under his belt, the Londoner has shown off a wealth of natural potential, so Bernard is unlikely to run out of choices going forward.
But he added that he is now unsure of where he will play football next semester. With his desire to just begin receiving regular game time, he doesn't have any fear about it.
"I’m 22 now so I need to be playing regular games, so I’m excited to see what the future holds. I genuinely don’t know what is going to happen at the moment, so we just have to see what happens. When it comes, we’ll have to think about it."
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