TWTD understands that Town skipper Grant Leadbitter and defender Damien Delaney have been offered to Portsmouth during the ongoing negotiations for targeted trio Jason Pearce, Joel Ward and Stephen Henderson. The Blues are continuing to speak to Pompey regarding the three players with Tuesday’s deadline swiftly approaching.

In August, back in Steve Cotterill's time as Portsmouth boss, we revealed that Leadbitter, out of contract in the summer and so far refusing to sign new terms, had been targeted by Pompey but with the Fratton Park club failing to offer an acceptable fee.

Now, with time running out on the 26-year-old’s deal, Ryan Stevenson added to the squad over the weekend and Andy Drury and Luke Hyam making an impression on the first team, Town may well be willing to take a more significant hit on the £2.65 million they paid Sunderland in the summer of 2009.

Delaney, who is also believed to be interesting Crystal Palace, would appear to be unlikely to play regular football if the Blues are successful in landing Pearce.

However, whereas Pearce, Ward and Henderson may ultimately decide that a move to a club more stable than Portsmouth might be best for their careers, the opposite could be the case for Leadbitter and Delaney, particularly if there are other serious options on the table, either now or in the summer.

Town boss Paul Jewell was spotted running the rule over his three targets as Pompey beat Peterborough 3-0 at London Road on Saturday, Pearce netting one of the goals.

Speaking after the game, Pearce said he's not sure what will happen: "It is all out of my hands, all I can do is give 100 per cent for the club. I want to stay but who knows what will happen.

"It is nice to be talked about and wanted but I have to just get on with my job. I'm a Portsmouth player and that is all that matters."

Meanwhile, former Blues loanee Danny Collins is reportedly set to join Southampton on loan from Stoke with a view to a permanent deal in the summer.

Photo: Action Images

singtown added 00:25 - Jan 30 Hope pompey management are reading this - delaney & leadbitter are 2 of our best squad players and I dread to see them leave! If you want to trade off, please throw in pearce, ward & Henderson + a couple of millions in exchange! That would help us recoup some money that keano splash recruiting DD & GL. Do not miss this offer!
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TractorBeezer added 00:26 - Jan 30 Thinking outside of the box. Let's hope that this is a win/win/win!
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bournemouthblue added 00:26 - Jan 30 Please make this happen Paul, you'll be a legend if you pull this one off. I'll forgive your past mistakes if this goes ahead :)
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wrightyblue added 00:30 - Jan 30 Hahaha this is the funneist thing iv heard for ages leadboots and Delaney hahaha as if Portsmouth would want them!
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martleshamitfc added 00:31 - Jan 30 Phil can you please add a better photo of Leadbitter ie one of him scoring a great goal (if there is one!) rather than the "forest gump" one?
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wrightyblue added 00:32 - Jan 30 Chuck sonko in there to.
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Tractastic added 00:37 - Jan 30 Ok Garv, Should have said 2nd largest spenders in the championship in the Summer. You knew that.
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Sindre94 added 00:39 - Jan 30 http://www.ipswich.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=270855 bad news..
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Garv added 00:44 - Jan 30 Tractadtic - yer I knew thats what you meant, can't believe even that's true though? Only spent about £2.5-3m
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dubzyluvschips added 00:46 - Jan 30 to good to be true
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martleshamitfc added 00:47 - Jan 30 Sindre94 - just gossip, if you were in his shoes it will be all about whether you are guaranteed a pay packet next month, Portsmouth fan/player or not?
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Tractastic added 00:55 - Jan 30 Garv, Not official but was quoted on Talksport last week when talking about the current state of our club.So must be there or there abouts? Guess only Leicester could be higher?
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Sindre94 added 00:56 - Jan 30 I hope its gossip, indeed I do, and I know it is. Similar situation when we sold Ambrose, Bent and Holland.. Hope we get them
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Garv added 01:19 - Jan 30 Brighton spent 3 mill on CMS alone, I reckon we are in fact quite low down the list. Southampton must have spent atleast a bit, West Ham definitely more than us...
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Tractastic added 01:28 - Jan 30 Obviously a number of transfers are undisclosed but this does give you a feel. Notice Bullard is also undisclosed? We are definitely top 4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_English_football_transfers_summer_2011
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casanovacrow added 02:21 - Jan 30 they couldnt afford either players wages
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Stu_Magoo added 03:30 - Jan 30 Danny "The wife has told me I have to stay in the Midlands" Collins - what a stroker!! A truthful - "Good God, I'm not staying here for this nonsense" would have been better.
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floridaboy added 07:06 - Jan 30 If Norris moved for more money than he was getting here why cannot they not offer Leadbitter a bit more, after all at his age it is all about money. Throw in Bullard and Bowyer as well I say and change the McCarthey loan to Portsmouth as well If honest cannot see it happening. Can understand ME wanting to reduce the wage bill with 2 of the bigger earners. Makes good sense Time will tell!

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ipswichm8 added 07:43 - Jan 30 henderson is a rumor and joel ward and james pierce are training with ipswich today i know because i spoke to jewell on sunday cause my bro plays for ipswich and they played arsenal so they trained
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jaydee added 07:50 - Jan 30 Really cant see this happening,we are short & crying out for center halves so why would we be getting rid of one to bring only one in...
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DurhamTownFan added 07:53 - Jan 30 Again I'm saying it, but (if true) this refusal to pay more money is evidence that Evans is refusin to back PJ on the market while publicly declaring his backing. I don't see this deal happening. Seems to be getting more complicated by the day, and the Pompey lads don't exactly seem desperate to move!
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RetroBlue added 07:55 - Jan 30 ha ha ha ha well if people think Dealeny and Leadboots would be willing to leave Town (where they at least get paid and have a cushy time) to become a Pompey player where they might not get paid , or be at a Club that goes out of existance in a few months time. Then you are barking mad. Ask your self..."would I go there?"
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fourth added 08:14 - Jan 30 Terrible idea
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WarkyWonderLand added 08:19 - Jan 30 Ipswichm8, If you are telling the truth and it doesn't happen it shows jewell is again not telling the truth as what appears to have happened with Carson. Oh, and its Jason Pearce not James.
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RegencyBlue added 08:43 - Jan 30 If true this deal is just getting too complicated. Cannot see it happening in the timescale left frankly.
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