Name: Gauthier Mahoto
Date of Birth: 21st February 1992
Position: Centre Midfielder
Club: Portsmouth
Previous Clubs: Le Havre
International apps(goals)
France U19 5(0)
Very highly rated prospect who is tipped for the very top of the game.
Came through the Le havre academy that has produced Florent Sinama-Pongolle, Didier Digard, Lassana Diarra and Guillaume Hoarau in recent years and ex-Portsmouth star Diarra is the man Mahoto is thought to be replacing.
Was signed as a 16-year-old when Pompey guaranteed him a professional contract when he turned 17 and he jumped at the chance. That wasn't the end of it though as the transfer dragged out for months as international clearance wasn't initially forthcoming.
Once he was able to play he stormed his way into the Pompey reserve side and became a key player in the second string.
Mahoto made his first team debut in this seasons Carling Cup and has been the subject of great interest from Aston Villa and Chelsea, with the former reportedly giving Pompey a 'blank cheque' for them to put their price on.