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Town Close to Landing Portsmouth's Webster With Clarke Set to Join Pompey - Ipswich Town News

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.

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