Joel Ward’s Portsmouth exit is now unlikely to take place until next week, according to reports on the south coast. The Blues, Leeds, Burnley and Crystal Palace have all held talks with the 22-year-old midfielder or defender, who is also now believed to be interesting two other Championship sides.

Manager Michael Appleton says he isn’t surprised that there are several clubs in for Ward, who is understood to want to take his time over the decision to leave his local club and is likely to speak to the other two interested parties: “Leeds are the main interest but there are a few others.

“I didn’t think Joel would be short of interested parties and that has turned out to be the case. There are a lot looking at him.

“Ipswich have always shown interest, Palace are there and Burnley have come in really strong.

“[Burnley boss] Eddie Howe worked with him in the past at Bournemouth, so you’ve got that link there. We have accepted Joel will be going, so now it is up to them to come up with an agreed deal.”

Pompey will receive £450,000 from the club that wins the race for Ward’s signature.

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

fussysnake added 11:31 - May 17 he will probably end up at leeds...
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gibbo added 11:42 - May 17 Move on, bored bored bored
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RIPbobby added 11:51 - May 17 Give the lad credit. He knows how to make a club bend over backwards and give into his needs. The longer it goes on the better deal he will get.
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PauloJulio added 12:05 - May 17 Might end up at Burnley like Charlie Austin due to the link with Eddie Howe!
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Seasonticketsteve added 12:09 - May 17 Think he will end up else where to be honest, from the Pompy forums etc I have read though he is ok but not brilliant anyway, good utility player but doesnt really have one position that he is brilliant in. Move on-surely better options out there for that price in the lower leagues!
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jas0999 added 12:16 - May 17 Hopefully we will get him. Clearly a top target, so suspect Clegg has sorted it all out.
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walberswick added 12:23 - May 17 with everyone on holiday it won't be us
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commuterblue added 12:31 - May 17 hard to turn down Warnock, but you never know (and we're unlikely to for a couple of weeks). at 22 can't blame him for taking his time
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Mark added 12:32 - May 17 Can anyone remember the last time that Ipswich and other clubs spoke to a player that the player chose us? All of signings seem to be when we are (or appear to be) the only club interested. On that basis, I find it hard to believe that we will sign Ward.
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walberswick added 12:37 - May 17 It like ebay, we only get the ones no-one else wants.
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afrodids added 12:43 - May 17 If he wanted to sign for us he would have in January! cough to Leeds ward stop wasting our time. Is he really an essential signing? I think not. move on. COYB
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yorksblue added 12:46 - May 17 Suspect Clegg has sorted it eh! Deal's probably in a glass bottle bobbing around the coastline in Guam.
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BlueBailey24 added 13:00 - May 17 yawn yawn yawn. bored of this guy now. would be a good addition but as afrodids said if he wanted to come surely he would have done in Januray? I doubt the personal terms it fell through over will have been rectified.
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Surco72 added 13:09 - May 17 Mark ...Bowyer and Stockdale last season were chased by a number of clubs Leeds being one of them in for both players . So just because other teams may get our targets doesnt mean it will work out ,as per two above and Mills ,St Ledger and Treacy last summer ?
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alliedaz added 13:30 - May 17 all these stories linked to ipswich are going nowhere if ward wanted to come he would reguardless if other teams are interested then theres murphy we need goals goals goals he isnt the man to get 20 goals plus a season then norris he wanted the big time and it didnt work out so what are we a feel sorry club and have him back i think jewell should keep his mouth shut and just get the players in

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alex12345 added 14:03 - May 17 Everyone that says Jewell should keep his mouth shut are deluded. PJ actually very rarely gives anything away in the way of who he is looking at signing, as is the same with most managers. All this speculation comes from journos and agents, not managers. Also people saying nobody ever joins us when other clubs are in for them are wrong too, Bowyer, Stockdale, Cresswell, etc....

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pennblue added 14:20 - May 17 "Burnley have come in really strong", ie. Burnley have offered him good cash.
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walberswick added 14:26 - May 17 no-one wanted Bowyer, no-one else would accept a 24 hr recall, Cresswell was poached by Keane
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Lightningboy added 15:30 - May 17 Is Ward a "jack of all trades & master of none" type player?...where would we play him? Hope this one comes to an end soon.
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AlanMahon2011 added 15:56 - May 17 Wait till Clegg gets involved! then he'll know where to go lol
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nicky621 added 15:59 - May 17 If he signs for us i will pay everyone who reads this £5.
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Wickets added 16:14 - May 17 Dont think Clegg could sign Harry Rednapp's mrs.
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Michael11 added 16:53 - May 17 Yawnnnn, i'd like him to come but doubt it. Hate to say it but Zak Whitbread released from the budgies today wouldn't be a bad signing!
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gibbo added 17:18 - May 17 show's how much Walberswick know's, I have got loads of good stuff from Ebay
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stewartwonderland added 17:32 - May 17 I hope this guy makes a decision soon, how long has this dragged on for? I know he did not want to leave portsmouth and has been with them since he was a kid, so has a tough decision to make, but can't see him signing for us now. I have a feeling that he will follow his best mate Pearce to Leeds, hope I am proved wrong as the portsmouth fans rate him highly.
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