Leeds United are reported to be close to beating the Blues to the signature of Portsmouth’s Joel Ward. Town have been targeting the 22-year-old since January when a fee was agreed for Ward and keeper Stephen Henderson on the final day of the transfer window but the moves broke down over personal terms.
Henderson subsequently joined West Ham but Ward was at Portman Road in March to hold talks with the Blues prior to the loan deadline.
However, Portsmouth’s administrator decided not to sell with Pompey at that point still in with a chance of keeping their Championship status but with Jewell believing Ward was "keen to come” to Town having spoken to him.
Central defender Jason Pearce, who the Blues also targeted in January when Pompey rebuffed their offer along with others, recently completed a switch to Leeds for £500,000, signing a four-year deal.
Pearce and Ward are close friends having come through the youth ranks at Fratton Park and the versatile midfielder or defender may well be keen to be reunited with his former team-mate at Elland Road.
Back in January, Pompey boss Michael Appleton said, perhaps presciently: "They are two peas in a pod, where one goes the other follows."
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