Posh set to target new players with Championship experience in the summer

Posh secured promotion from League One in dramatic fashion last weekend to reach the Championship for the third time in the 15-year reign of chairman Darragh MacAnthony.

But the previous spells lasted just one season (2009-10) and then two seasons (2011-2013). It’s taken Posh eight years to get back to the Championship following the agonising last-day relegation in May, 2013.

But Posh are determined to stay among the big boys for much longer this time around.

MacAnthony, his co-owners Dr Jason Neale and Stewart ‘Randy’ Thompson, director of football Barry Fry and first-team manager Darren Ferguson met to discuss transfer targets and a retianed players list yesterday (May 5).

Ferguson is due to meet his current squad individually tomorrow (Friday).

“It could be we target players with Championship experience rather than youunger ones we can sell on at a profit,” Fry said ahead of yesterday’s meeting. “At least we know what to expect having spent three seasons at that level since Darragh arrived.

“We know how tough it will be, but we also know what we need so we will get cracking once we know who and what the manager wants.”

Posh are expected to offer star forward Siriki Dembele a new deal. He is about to enter the last year of his contract.

Dembele had a written transfer request rejected in January. If he turns down his new offer, which will only be made with Ferguson’s approval, he is likely to be sold rather than be allowed to leave on a free transfer at the end of the 2021-22 season.

Former Posh loanee Josh Knight is expected to be of interest to Ferguson.

Knight has been outstanding on loan from Leicester City at bottom Championship club Wycombe this season, playing mainly as a centre-back so has the experience of the division Posh are craving.

“We will try and sign players permanently rather than loan them,” Fry added. “I believe Leicester will be ready to sell Josh.”