Midfielder Joe Morrell has admitted that had a difficult decision to make when the Blues came in for him over the weekend with his switch from Luton to Portsmouth, which was ultimately confirmed on Monday, well progressed at that stage.
"I’m 24 years old and not somebody at the end of his career,” the Ipswich-born Wales international told the Portsmouth News.
"I’ve got a lot to give and this move was about what’s best for me as a footballer and not necessarily my bank account or other factors.
"I did have to make a phone call on Sunday to him [Pompey manager Danny Cowley] to say I am probably going to another club after agreeing a deal here, which was never the intention.
"There was another football club which had given me a good offer on Saturday night, something at that time which I was thinking seriously about, and his reaction made me even more motivated to come to Pompey.
"He obviously sounded gutted, but he wasn’t annoyed or frustrated. He handled that brilliantly and, in the end, that played a big part in me coming here.
"You weigh everything up and try to block out the noise and go with your heart. From a financial perspective, this was not the best move for me, but this is a move for my development as a footballer.
"Is a bit more money going to make a difference when you feel a part of something, when you feel at home at a massive football club in front of fantastic fans?
"It was a difficult decision. I don’t want to disrespect any other football club because the club I was in talks with is a fantastic club too — and a big club.
"But there’s a bit of guilt that it ended up being a little more difficult than it was going to be on Friday and Saturday.”
Regarding linking up with Cowley, who had been his manager during a loan spell at Lincoln, he added: "You weigh up a lot of options when you sign for a football club and definitely the manager is a massive part.
"I have spoken to him so much over the summer. He has been pestering me, put it that way!
"He’s always someone I have kept in regular contact with. I played for him at Lincoln, not for a long period of time, but have had a good relationship with him since.
"It’s his drive and his determination to succeed. I also feel we share the same values as people, regardless of football, and that is a massive factor in me coming here.”