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Pompey Linked With Renewed Harrison Interest - Ipswich Town News

Portsmouth are reported to have renewed their interest in Blues striker Ellis Harrison.

Pompey, beaten in the League One play-off semi-finals, targeted Harrison last summer while the 25-year-old was still with Bristol Rovers, then again as a loanee in January and, according to the Portsmouth News, manager Kenny Jackett is ready revive his interest this summer.

Harrison, who cost Town £750,000, started the season in Paul Hurst’s XI but very infrequently after Paul Lambert took charge with injuries sidelining him for spells.

In total the former Wales U21 international made nine starts and eight substitute appearances during 2018/19, scoring just once, in the home draw with Sheffield United in December.

With Town expected to complete the Bosman signing of Tranmere striker James Norwood and with another frontman - perhaps former loanee Will Keane - in boss Lambert’s sights this summer, Harrison is likely to be well down the pecking order once 2019/20 begins and we understand the Blues would listen to offers should they come in for the Newport-born attacker.

As previously reported, Blackburn Rovers were keen on Harrison last summer and again in January - when they also showed interest in fellow striker Kayden Jackson - and could also resurrect their pursuit during this close season.

Meanwhile, Premier League Brighton and Hove Albion are among a number of clubs eyeing a move for Portsmouth’s former Town central defender Matt Clarke.

We understand no one has yet made an offer for the 22-year-old, who was named in the League One Team of the Year after another impressive season for Pompey, but his departure for the top flight or the Championship would be little surprise.

As TWTD previously revealed, this would be good news for the Blues with Town understood to be due 20 per cent of the profit Pompey make on Clarke, who is believed to have been valued at £50,000 when he was a makeweight in the deal which saw Adam Webster join Town in the summer of 2016.

Swansea and Stoke have previously been linked with Clarke, who has been widely valued at £5 million, a fee which would yield the Blues a sell-on of close to £800,000.

Elsewhere, defender Jonas Knudsen, who will leave Portman Road when his contract is up at the end of next month, has again been linked with Middlesbrough, as well as German side Freiburg and teams back in his native Denmark.

Boro were previously understood to be among the clubs interested in the 26-year-old in January, along with Stoke, while Danish clubs FC Copenhagen and FC Midtjylland were also reported to be interested.

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