Portsmouth’s Joel Ward continues to weigh up his options with the Blues still believed to be very much in the race for his signature.
The 22-year-old is variously reported to be speaking to a club this morning and having narrowed his alternatives down to Town and another club.
While Leeds appear to have dropped back in the race and Sheffield Wednesday have dropped out completely, we understand Crystal Palace are strong contenders with Ward viewed as a straight replacement for right-back Nathaniel Clyne, who is set to leave Selhurst Park for the Premier League this summer.
Burnley, who are managed by Eddie Howe, Bournemouth boss during Ward’s loan spell with the Cherries, and Blackpool are the other interested parties.
Pompey administrator Trevor Birch said earlier in the week that he expected the versatile defender or midfielder to have moved by the middle of the week but with further discussions expected with the various interested parties, including Town, a swift resolution seems unlikely.
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