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

mattraisin added 18:31 - May 17 This is terrible, why haven't we been linked with free agent Michael Owen, sort it out Phill.
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TimmyH added 19:41 - May 17 zzzzzzzzzzzzz - how much more can this be milked?
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Langdon_Blue added 20:18 - May 17 Ward should have contacted the Guiness book of records before starting the longest ever "eerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrmmmmmm" when considering his decision...
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s6blue added 21:12 - May 17 just make your mind up man ffs
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manualthetisfanclub added 21:44 - May 17 blah blah blah,jog on ffs! Rather not have an overrated average player like him!move on pj, he's taken pee for to long now!
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Keaneish added 23:22 - May 17 Hands up if you actually care about this man anymore!?
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harlingblue added 01:37 - May 18 Ward...Portsmouth are the pits because of poor Management, not the supporters who are the tops, you would be welcomed here as a young player to add promise to our team, that has the basis of a good team that could challenge. Just say yes or no. We/you move on.
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ericgates added 06:02 - May 18 I think we need to move on soon, it doesn't really seem like we have talked to him since March. Mixed messages coming from leeds and seems to be friction already between warnock and bates. That was never going to work out well that relationship! I think he will go to burnley. People have bbeen mentioning halford instead, but seems he has a bit of an attitude problem.

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Langdon_Blue added 08:03 - May 18 Would be funny if he did end up signing for us and Ipswich included in the press release the usual quote from a new player stating "once I knew Ipswich were interested, the decision was simple" haha...
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bigolconnor added 08:42 - May 18 Nicky621 can I have my £5 In the form of a computer magic gift voucher. It used to be on crown street.
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AlanMahon2011 added 11:09 - May 18 Clegg just released this statement: "Who's Joel Ward?"
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runningout added 11:09 - May 18 he obviously has eyes on grander things, and this place not for him.. he will not know what he's missing : )
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yorksblue added 15:14 - May 18 He'll go to Wednesday.
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Langdon_Blue added 16:00 - May 18 Yorksblue are you predicting which team he will sign for, or what day he'll finally stop mucking everyone around?!? ;-)
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yorksblue added 17:41 - May 18 lol. Wednesday will do a Swansea/Soton/Scum and have a decent season next year. Plus they have a decent Manager, something we don't.
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