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

jas0999 added 08:51 - Jan 30 Although Delaney is by no means the best defender, if we let him go, I assume PJ has yet another CB ready to come in? We are already short of cover in that area. If we sign one and let one CB go - then we are still short in that area. As Leadbitter is out of contract in the Summer, it would be better to let him go - but will Pompey want his wages on their books? Can't see this happening I'm afraid. The clock is ticking and it's very disappointing that deals for a 2 x CB, 1 x RB, 1 x Striker and a keeper have not be finalised yet. ITFC have had a while to sort this out.

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bluenut added 08:53 - Jan 30 Sounds like a good deal, get rid of Leaders and Donkeys high wages. Come on Clegg, prove me wrong and get it sorted!!! Up the Town
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Sindre94 added 08:58 - Jan 30 I doubt it tbf..
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brittaniaman added 09:02 - Jan 30 It has got far to complicated now,,, can anyone imagine how 5 contracts are going to be sorted out by tomorrow ?????? I certainly can"t especially with medicals etc,. also we have a small matter of a game with West Ham tomorrow to concentrate on as well ???????????
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Marshalls_Mullet added 09:04 - Jan 30 I imagine that we will have offered Leadbitter and Delaney on LOAN. That way it lessens the financial commitment for Pompey and also puts the players in the shop window. Collins' main concern is wages. I would be gutted if I was a Saints fan..... he will be out of his depth if they hit the Prem.
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iamipswich added 09:09 - Jan 30 Didnt PJ say collins wasnt coming back to ipswich because he wanted stay closer to home in the north? now he's going to southampton which is even further south!
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MickMillsTash added 09:14 - Jan 30 I really hope that this is just a story fed by ITFC to try and encourage Delaney and Leadbitter to move on quickly. If it is genuine - just makes us sound desperate Worrying What are the chances we sign no-one else and lose 2 more?
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Keaneish added 09:17 - Jan 30 Sindre - I guess the irony with Pearce's situation is that if he is Pompey through and through, he'd do more good to them by leaving given that by staying they could potentially go into administration! Not a nice position to be in!
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LisbieAvenue added 09:23 - Jan 30 I feel sorry for Pompey when teams try and steal their best players. How would Ipswich like it if Pompey tried to buy all their best players like ... um ... um ... I'll get back to you on that one ;)
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scooterblue added 09:33 - Jan 30 long wait ahead me think's. this all might be a smokescreen for something else
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bobble added 09:34 - Jan 30 can we throw in clegg and mccarthy and chopra and bullard and bowyer and jay and...............................................
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buryblue77 added 10:05 - Jan 30 I knew there was something else to the Collins deal it looked like when he got here that there would be a strong possibility that he'd join us after his loan deal was up and then the suggestion he wanted to stay in the area because of his newborn child was all an excuse, as it's easier to move a newborn than a child already started its education. The career driven person I am says I don't blame him, Southampton are looking a safe bet to reach the Prem so he can get himself a good deal at the end of the season, better than we'd be able to offer, however the football fan in me says t*****! I'd give Leadboots and Delaney to anybody, even Norwich if I thought it would help them to get relegated, however I can't see the players themselves going for the switch especially considering that Leadbitter can go anywhere at the end of the season.

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StowTractorBoy added 10:29 - Jan 30 This deal if you can call it that gets more and more complex by the day and just cannot see it happening if we are throwing in player exchanges. For heaven sake Mr Evans just spend the £2.4m Pompey need to keep HMRC happy and stop faffing around to penny pinch. If we do not strengthen the back line before deadline close tomorrow there is a real real probabilty of relegation and again relying on the loans. I despair at our transfer dealings.

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Surco72 added 11:12 - Jan 30 Dont feel sorry for Pompey they tapped up our captain this time last year ,and if the money and wages are not there dont spend them , a lesson maybe some of our supporters would do well to remember when wondering why we arent throwing more millions at transfers without care .Ipswich is a business and Evans is a very successful businessman , i for one want to be watching Town play for the next twenty years that is the priority

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smithy91 added 11:20 - Jan 30 Oh for goodness sake evans! stop being so darn tight, as if leadbitter and delaney are gonna go to a club that can barely afford to pay their current players. Get them in with money you tight ass git or things could get alot worse. Gotta spend money to make money, or in our case losing a whole lot!!
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Lightningboy added 13:23 - Jan 30 Can't see any of this happening and to be honest,what is the point in taking 2 players away from their home town club - pretty much against their will?..will their hearts really be into playing for us?? Should've looked for other options - we've had all bloody month.
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petieboy2011 added 13:35 - Jan 30 If this deal does fall through (and lets face it, due to all the stipulations its a high probability), then will Leadbitter and Delaney want to make an effort anymore if selected for the ITFC first team knowing the manager would prefer to send them to a club that is debt ridden and faces an uncertain future? Some will argue that they dont make an effort anyway when thay play, but it will be even worse I'd imagine!!

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alfromcol added 13:42 - Jan 30 No problem in getting Leadboots and Delaney to go to Portsmouth on loan, with Pompey paying part of their wages. The poses no problem for Leadboots as he would be free to move on at the end of the season. Neither have to be signed by Portsmouth, so it doesn't cause too much of a complication. Presumably players have less say if they are sent out on loan??
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