The deal which will see Portsmouth’s Adam Webster join Town and Matt Clarke and a significant fee move in the opposite direction is now set to be confirmed early next week, TWTD understands.
The deal, which TWTD first reported more than a week ago, is essentially done but with some minor paperwork relating to the switch still currently outstanding. That is likely to be completed early next week with the clubs expected to announce the signings on Tuesday, with Monday a bank holiday.
We also understand the fee that the Blues will pay Pompey - in addition to 19-year-old Clarke moving to Fratton Park - is significantly higher than the £500,000 previously reported.
It will be the highest fee Town have spent since Mick McCarthy took over as Town boss in November 2012, eclipsing the £350,000 paid to Danish side Esbjerg fB for left-back Jonas Knudsen last summer.
Webster, a 21-year-old right-sided centre-half or full-back who McCarthy initially tried to sign in January, 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 ball-playing defender spent 2013/14 on loan at Aldershot, making 24 starts for the Vanarama National League side.
Webster, from West Wittering near Chichester, made 60 starts and 21 sub appearances for Portsmouth, scoring five goals, and has been capped by England at U18 and U19 levels.
Barham-born Clarke 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.