TWTD understands Town are close to landing Portsmouth central defender Adam Webster in a deal which would see Matt Clarke, who has spent the season on loan at Fratton Park, move in the opposite direction.

We understand Webster, who is contracted to Pompey until June 2017 and even with Clarke's involvement will have cost the Blues a fee, is due to undergo a Town medical today, having been amongst the younger players manager Mick McCarthy targeted in January when the clubs were unable to agree a fee.

The right-sided defender has also attracted interest from elsewhere this season, having established himself at centre-half, after previously operating largely as a full-back.

The 21-year-old joined Portsmouth aged 12 and came through the ranks at Fratton Park, making his senior debut as a 17-year-old in January 2012 during their time in the Championship in a 1-0 home defeat to West Ham.

The 6ft 3in tall defender spent 2013/14 on loan at Aldershot, making 24 starts for the Vanarama National League side.

Webster, from West Wittering near Chichester, has now made 60 starts and 21 sub appearances for Portsmouth, scoring five goals. He has been capped by England at U18 and U19 levels.

We understand Barham-born Clarke is set to join Pompey on a permanent basis, having spent the whole of 2015/16 on loan at Pompey, making 30 starts and three sub appearances, scoring once.

The central defender or midfielder came through Town’s academy and made one Capital One Cup start and four Championship sub appearances for the Blues.

Clarke's exit will come as a surprise with Blues boss Mick McCarthy having previously said that he viewed him very much as one for the future and part of his plans for next season.

Photo: Action Images

StuartBrett8 added 17:56 - May 19 MM getting his business done early again :)
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Seasider added 17:58 - May 19 Well I wonder who will get the best deal,us or Pompey;only time will tell
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LimitlessBlue added 17:59 - May 19 Clarke praised on one hand and sold with the other!
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londonroadblue added 18:01 - May 19 Why would we let one of our top prospects leave? Been outstanding whenever I have watched him play for Town's 21's. Not sure about this one
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KuqiCoup added 18:01 - May 19 So we are swapping a Pompey centre half who we thought could come back and fight for a place in our team for a Pompey centre half who ...... What's the point? Is Webster considered that much better?
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jas0999 added 18:01 - May 19 Extremely surprising. Are we actually better off? I was hoping Clarke would break through for us this season. Shame. Having said that, MM is better placed to know and as Seasider States, time will tell. Could prove to be a good signing. Let's hope so.
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happybeingblue added 18:02 - May 19 i like the sound of this one i think he was injured for their play offs but he is highly rated by pompey by all acoounts
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Kentish_Tractor added 18:03 - May 19 So wait...we're getting a 21 year-old who is good in League Two, and losing a 19 year-old home-grown talent who is also good in League Two and when back here would help us push for Cat 1 status - and we're still going to have to pay a fee? Seriously. What's the point? Why not just keep Clarke?
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miltonsnephew added 18:07 - May 19 If this guy has player England u18 & u19 surely a better player. If Clarke has had to go to Portsmouth to get a game and Webster is already being chased, in my eyes we know we'll be getting a better player. Webster is very Highly rated at Pompey, a very shrewd deal if you ask me. Get rid of more dead wood and bring in Payne and Moncur please.
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Jblue added 18:09 - May 19 Not that it has any bearing on real life (although a number of clubs have confirmed they use it) Webster is a real good prospect on Footie Manager. However so is Matt Clarke, seems a strange one.
3

crunchie1978 added 18:09 - May 19 The fee is alt more than 8000 euros we paid for polish Pete... so you'd think he'd start so think we are looking at either smith or Berra going.
2

deano85 added 18:11 - May 19 I imagine maybe MM views him as a RB?? He did say something about chambers re-learning being a CB again...?
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12th_Man added 18:12 - May 19 What's the point not any better just keep Clarke
0

Bluebell added 18:12 - May 19 I find that extremely weird especially as we are having to pay but we have to trust Mick on this. I have a funny feeling that Berra could well be leaving us. There has been a lot of talk about him going to play in Scotland. If he goes, that would probably mean Chambers will move into the middle and we will then need a right sided back. Have to admit the youngsters who played for the last couple of games of the season did well but doubt they are up to playing over 40 games a season. I find it all quite exciting!

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itfccymru added 18:13 - May 19 As much as I rate Clarke, I can understand this. It would leave us with 3 left footed centre halves and we would lack balance in the squad which has been our downfall for a while now. Webster is highly rated and will be a direct replacement, and of course his ability to play right back is an advantage. Wish Clarke all the best, positive start to the window if you ask me, nice to see MM starting his business nice and early!

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footyblue added 18:15 - May 19 id keep Clarke and play them both
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miltonsnephew added 18:17 - May 19 Can we also have Jordan Willis of Coventry please. 21 year old right back. And Moncur and Payne please..
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happybeingblue added 18:19 - May 19 according to a few pompey forums i have read he was played out of posistion at right back...and has looked quality at centre back a baLL PLAYER BY ALL ACCOUNTS :) blimey surely not !
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maninashed added 18:19 - May 19 As he is right footed it could simply be that MM wants a balanced central defence and wants to keep Chambers at right back. It could also be MM prefering experience over potential. If so it's sad and shortsighted. But then that's MM for you.
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casanovacrow added 18:22 - May 19 I guess he'll cover 2 positions that we are light on. With next seasons emergency loan rules it makes sense. I just hope if he plays RB he actually gets over the half way line and can actually cross a ball.
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DurhamTownFan added 18:37 - May 19 Is it me or is MM addicted to signing CBs..? How many now is that since he arrived (about 15!), and how many regularly play matches (two, or three including one out of position)? Still, Pompey played decent football against us in the cup so maybe he's looking for a bit more nous on the ball..? Please..?!
3

Michael11 added 18:41 - May 19 Very strange one. Not seen Webster play but is he going to be that much better than Clarke? McCarthy spoke very highly of Clarke too and he's always played well when I've seen him. I'd like to think we put a buy back clause in this to get Clarke back.
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Len_Brennan added 18:49 - May 19 He played both FA Cup matches against us & obviously impressed Mick, who must believe he is better than Clarke - simple as that. If he is right, it's a good move which will improve us for a small enough investment. I hope he's not coming in with a view to playing at right back or being a versatile defender. Having 2 decent right sided & 2 decent left sided centre halves is good management, as long as we have 2 good right & 2 good left full back also. This nonsense of regularly playing defenders, midfielders & strikers out of their best positions has to stop.

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runaround added 18:56 - May 19 Surprised by this but l do wonder if Berra is on his way? I thought there was high hopes for Matt Clarke
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Wickets added 19:01 - May 19 Yes i did hear a wisper that Berra is on his way back to Scotland?
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