TWTD understands Town are close to landing Portsmouth central defender Adam Webster in a deal which would see Matt Clarke, who has spent the season on loan at Fratton Park, move in the opposite direction.

We understand Webster, who is contracted to Pompey until June 2017 and even with Clarke's involvement will have cost the Blues a fee, is due to undergo a Town medical today, having been amongst the younger players manager Mick McCarthy targeted in January when the clubs were unable to agree a fee.

The right-sided defender has also attracted interest from elsewhere this season, having established himself at centre-half, after previously operating largely as a full-back.

The 21-year-old joined Portsmouth aged 12 and came through the ranks at Fratton Park, making his senior debut as a 17-year-old in January 2012 during their time in the Championship in a 1-0 home defeat to West Ham.

The 6ft 3in tall defender spent 2013/14 on loan at Aldershot, making 24 starts for the Vanarama National League side.

Webster, from West Wittering near Chichester, has now made 60 starts and 21 sub appearances for Portsmouth, scoring five goals. He has been capped by England at U18 and U19 levels.

We understand Barham-born Clarke is set to join Pompey on a permanent basis, having spent the whole of 2015/16 on loan at Pompey, making 30 starts and three sub appearances, scoring once.

The central defender or midfielder came through Town’s academy and made one Capital One Cup start and four Championship sub appearances for the Blues.

Clarke's exit will come as a surprise with Blues boss Mick McCarthy having previously said that he viewed him very much as one for the future and part of his plans for next season.

Photo: Action Images

muccletonjoe added 19:14 - May 19 Probably no one on here has seen much of this pompey lad . Lets wait and see shall we.
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runningout added 19:24 - May 19 Spot on
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Cakeman added 19:30 - May 19 Over recent seasons, few of our players that go out on loan actually come back to play for us. Tommy Smith being a strong exception. I just wonder how many of of our younger ones will actually play in the first team. I must admit I thought Clarke had a lot of potential for us.
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cartman1972 added 19:35 - May 19 God there are some negative sods on here, the lad is rated and young so what if we're getting rid of Clarke, Webster had an outstanding season at Portsmouth hence a recently signed contract. I'd rather a team of this type of lad than seasoned has-beens.
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Surco72 added 19:58 - May 19 Berra was poor last season and will only get slower , Smith is the future and needs to be in his right position with another alongside him . For me MM has a poor record in signings of young players as Mings aside far too many make little to no impact and move on very soon
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IpswichT62OldBoy added 20:01 - May 19 Is this an attempt to have a player more comfortable on the ball and able to play out of defence?
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Blink442 added 20:16 - May 19 Bad move in my view, Clarke quality and waiting to replace Berra.
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Crawfordsboot added 20:47 - May 19 It is so depressing to read so many comments that are negative in outlook and run through with implied criticism of MM. He was an international centre half so we might imagine that he knows better than any of us what makes a decent central defender. Are any of us better equipped to judge which of these two young players is the better prospect? More importantly how many of the negative posters on here have actually seen this guy play. On what do they base their views? Gut instinct? Or just plan old anti MM sentiment?

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warkthelint added 20:49 - May 19 Never seen Webster but should not be moving on Clarke regardless. I hope McCarthy will give youth a fling as his record is appalling.Hopefully the younger players will bring a more offensive style to the team and act as a spur...and eliminate the drudgery of football that is served up by our manager..
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goat_man added 21:01 - May 19 None of us have seen either of them play in their first teams really, so lets all get off this guys back and hope his arrival is the start of a solid team thats full of quality and luck.
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Limmy05 added 21:16 - May 19 Good evening .... still depressed pompey fan here. Just read your comments re: webster so i thought ill add my views. Hope ok ? In respect to Adam Webster when we played u at your place he was the o/s player on the pitch. It is sometimes hard to identify this as for obvious reasons we concentrate on our own pkayers. At ht i remember saying to my son we need to take him off as as there will be queue waiting to sign him after that performance. He is an o/s prospect. As is Clarke who did great for us this season and will hopefully do again for us next season in lg 2. But Webster is better and deserves playing at a higher standard. Overall 400k plus clarke is good deal for all parties. Just look after Webster. Play up Pompey

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dirtyboy added 21:22 - May 19 McCarthy obviously wants this one sealed early, and does possibly point towards another defender leaving. Smith, Berra or Chambers...as he's unlikely to let one of those go until he's got the replacement in. I don't think Clarke was in the plans. Just text a mate who supports Pompey and he thinks he's the best prospect at the club, glowing praise. Only time will tell ...if we get him of course.

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rfretwell added 21:29 - May 19 Could Rangers be in for Berra? They need quality defenders now they are back where they belong.
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WhoisJimmyJuan added 21:30 - May 19 Limmy . I have no idea whether you are right or not. Time will tell. But how nice to see a fan of another club come on here to post in a positive way. And your post is convincing and refreshing after a lot of blind negativity by done of our lot.
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scumbuster added 21:34 - May 19 Everybody was moaning last season about not having a right back. ...looks like we could be getting one and still there's moaning!! Everybody was moaning about free transfers....We look as though we're going to pay a fee and guess what!!
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Zondervantheman added 21:41 - May 19 I remember seeing this lad at Portman road when we were completely outclassed in the fa cup,and he was a joy to watch, always wanting the ball and looking very comfortable when he had it. Dare I say he reminded me of Jonathan Woodgate before he became an injury prone liability...
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Limmy05 added 21:42 - May 19 Of course if u could chuck a goalie in as well i would be delighted. Thanks whoisjimmyjuan. I would not post if not positive with Southampton being the only exception. I will repeat again he is an outstanding prospect but young so might need a bit of tlc to start with.
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Warkys_Tash added 22:08 - May 19 @TWTD PHIL, do you know if he was the centre back with the number 15 on his shirt when we played them at PR in the cup? If he is, then I am very happy with that. That guy was a proper ball playing CB, not a hoofer!
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Vizslaraner added 22:23 - May 19 Can pass and highly rated. Clarke is solid but has a tendency to hoof so I am happy to see a young player join. We have to get players from the lower leagues and I will look forward to more young hungry types coming in. A marquee signing in the attacking third along with good young players is a good start and how I feel we should go. Just dnt get him hoofing it McCarthy otherwise it will be pointless.

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Keaneish added 22:25 - May 19 Why does Mick insist in having 6 foot plus right backs? If you're not 6 foot, you don't get a look in at RB with Mick. I'm more disappointed Clarke has gone than Webster is joining. I was looking forward to seeing him play after a successful season at Pompey. It's been a while since we sent a player out on loan and they had a major impact on their season.
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Pompeytilidie added 22:39 - May 19 Pompey fan in peace: Got to say we're disappointed to be losing Webster, but if it wasn't you it would be someone else, at least we're getting Clarke who did a good job for us this season. You'll enjoy watching this guy, good solid centre back, you don't want him as your right back though. Good ball winner, distribution was suspect but he came on leaps and bounds this year. He always gives 100%, and he'll only get better. Honestly, I think this is a good deal for both clubs. Both sets of supporters are questioning the deal, but ultimately in benefits us all. Good luck next season! PUP!

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ArnieM added 23:32 - May 19 This is surely all about balance in what has been a very unbalanced back four. Webster is Right footed. Chambo Right, Smith, Left Knudsen Left, Digby ? Emmanuel Right, Kenlock , Left footed. Clarke is a left footed CB!
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ArnieM added 23:36 - May 19 .....get £400k for Berra and Webster is essentially a freebie and in less wages
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Eireannach_gorm added 23:37 - May 19 If we are paying a fee anyway why not send Clarke on a season long loan? Both clubs would have defensive cover but we would not lose Clarke. I would have thought this would be a better option than trying to convert a rejected Barnsley midfielder into a defender.
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GiveusaWave added 00:31 - May 20 I'm a big supporter of MM but am genuinely surprised by this one. Pompey fans certainly think Clarke is a better prospect than Webster so its just plain odd. Time will tell.
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