Portsmouth are reported to have renewed their interest in Blues striker Ellis Harrison.

Pompey, beaten in the League One play-off semi-finals, targeted Harrison last summer while the 25-year-old was still with Bristol Rovers, then again as a loanee in January and, according to the Portsmouth News, manager Kenny Jackett is ready revive his interest this summer.

Harrison, who cost Town £750,000, started the season in Paul Hurst’s XI but very infrequently after Paul Lambert took charge with injuries sidelining him for spells.

In total the former Wales U21 international made nine starts and eight substitute appearances during 2018/19, scoring just once, in the home draw with Sheffield United in December.

With Town expected to complete the Bosman signing of Tranmere striker James Norwood and with another frontman - perhaps former loanee Will Keane - in boss Lambert’s sights this summer, Harrison is likely to be well down the pecking order once 2019/20 begins and we understand the Blues would listen to offers should they come in for the Newport-born attacker.

As previously reported, Blackburn Rovers were keen on Harrison last summer and again in January - when they also showed interest in fellow striker Kayden Jackson - and could also resurrect their pursuit during this close season.

Meanwhile, Premier League Brighton and Hove Albion are among a number of clubs eyeing a move for Portsmouth’s former Town central defender Matt Clarke.

We understand no one has yet made an offer for the 22-year-old, who was named in the League One Team of the Year after another impressive season for Pompey, but his departure for the top flight or the Championship would be little surprise.

As TWTD previously revealed, this would be good news for the Blues with Town understood to be due 20 per cent of the profit Pompey make on Clarke, who is believed to have been valued at £50,000 when he was a makeweight in the deal which saw Adam Webster join Town in the summer of 2016.

Swansea and Stoke have previously been linked with Clarke, who has been widely valued at £5 million, a fee which would yield the Blues a sell-on of close to £800,000.

Elsewhere, defender Jonas Knudsen, who will leave Portman Road when his contract is up at the end of next month, has again been linked with Middlesbrough, as well as German side Freiburg and teams back in his native Denmark.

Boro were previously understood to be among the clubs interested in the 26-year-old in January, along with Stoke, while Danish clubs FC Copenhagen and FC Midtjylland were also reported to be interested.

Photo: TWTD

Suffolkboy added 20:31 - May 26 Really don't believe PL will let go people of recognisable potential ,and we've not been impressed with either Harrison or Jackson ; both have much to learn and develop so outgoings are to be expected . COYB
3

ArnieM added 20:40 - May 26 I'd say definitely NO . I think he knows League one and we'd be daft to get rid before he's had a run of games next season.
11

Bildestoned added 20:48 - May 26 I say keep him. Clearly our previous manager (yeah, I know.....) saw a talent and here's another experienced league manager apparently thinking the same.
1

Saxonblue74 added 20:58 - May 26 Let him go. Another Hurst flop.
-6

jas0999 added 21:00 - May 26 I bet Evans and the club won't mention any sell on fee for Clarke, let alone reinvest it! Hopefully we won't sign an injury prone Keane - no point. I'd keep Harrison above a player who misses over half a season through injury.
5

dirtydingusmagee added 21:00 - May 26 not sure really, Harrison and Jackson did little to convince me they are worth keeping , but i conceed it may be different at lower level .Wont lose any sleep over it .
12

Lightningboy added 21:16 - May 26 Wouldn't be missed..preferred what I saw from Jackson but neither were much cop last season..think Jackson of the 2 could be useful next season..if Pompey offer us what we paid for Harrison i'd happily take it. Just get the Norwood deal done asap!
7

mow_the_lawn added 21:17 - May 26 I'd prefer to keep Harrison. Regardless of this season when any striker in the world would've struggled to get goals in our team, he's at least proven he can score goals at League 1 level, hence the interest. I'd give him a chance and sell him on in Jan if no improvement then. The same with Jackson and Rowe. All maybe not good enough yet for championship but certainly afford them a decent run of games in League 1 before flogging them.

2

herfie added 21:18 - May 26 Interesting that other managers appear to see qualities and value in individuals that we perhaps don't rate that highly. I suppose an example is Keifer Moore - who B City are allegedly willing to pay Barnsley a decent fee for. Never really given a fair chance under MM, sent out on loan and on an upwards trajectory ever since - albeit not at PL level. But might well have come good for us, given a chance. If realistic offers come in for both Harrison and Jackson, then pretty sure we'll accept. So long as any funds received are reinvested to strengthen/improve, then so be it. That said, if we do get Norwood, then I could see Jackson's pace being a distinct option to hold on to.

6

BcarefulwhatUWish4 added 21:27 - May 26 Not great but he knows League 1 and has more to offer than Jackson.
0

IpswichT62OldBoy added 21:29 - May 26 Webster and Clarke, why are they not with us?
2

casanovacrow added 21:29 - May 26 Good forward, hardly had a chance last season. Much more to him than Jackson.
1

ForeverBlueSince1996 added 21:35 - May 26 Will be very disappointed if he goes! Especially as Norwood is not coming
-2

meekreech added 21:51 - May 26 I am going to Southampton in a couple of weeks so I can drop him off on the way.
0

blue86 added 22:01 - May 26 when harrison played in the friendly against west ham, my mate who i went with (a west ham fan) said to me i like the look of the lad up front, meaning harrison. maybe a run of games in league 1 will do him good? he is defo more suited to a 1 striker formation than jackson is, which i feel lambert will play 433 or maybe 4231. hard one this! but would prefer not to gamble on will keane, just to injury prone.

4

OwainG1992 added 22:10 - May 26 I'd let him go. I think Harrison has a terrible first touch and I'd rather have Norwood and Will Keane.
1

Northstander_Blue added 22:10 - May 26 Lots of injuries in difficult debut campaign. Liked the glimpses I saw. Would be a risk allowing him to join a promotion rival IMO.
5

itfcbam added 22:33 - May 26 Jas0999, just remind me how much of the season Harrison missed through injury? so Keane hardly more injury prone based on last season. Also Clarke windfall would be great, some will prob be reinvested but people need to remember as result of relegation we have to cut our cloth accordingly as turnover is down 9m on last season. and that isn't taking into account the deficit the club used to operate at the higher turnover.

2

stiffy501 added 22:42 - May 26 If we can recoup any of the outlay for Harrison, Jackson or Roberts i'd let them all go. None of them have shown what is desired of a striker to get us the goals to get out of league 1. We need to be scoring about 80-90 goals to be up there judging on last season we're about 45 short !!
3

TimmyH added 23:16 - May 26 Not sure he made enough starts last season to warrant being sold already - mainly in the first half of the season, I saw him play against Sheff United when he scored and the opening game against Blackburn and didn't think he played too badly. Jackson on the other hand started more often and was consistently underwhelming...
4

BlueandTruesince82 added 23:22 - May 26 I'd let Roberts and Jackson go. Harrison I'd keep, what I saw of him he has something, not sure if its enough but out of the 3 he seems strongest
4

KiwiBlue2 added 23:45 - May 26 I think Harrison is more of a threat than Jackson. Am wondering what PL thinks about Freddie? A strike force of Norwood, Harrison, Sears and Keane could be very competitive in League 1 especially if our midfield can provide reasonable service. The centre backs are also of concern. I presume Woolfenden will get his chance with Nsiala, Chambers and a fourth (hopefully left sided cb) brought in. Overall the core squad is not too bad for L1 but a few more additions are needed. An interesting couple of months ahead........

2

harlingblue added 02:23 - May 27 We must keep Harrison, he has much to prove, and I think that he will do it, as long as PL gives him a real chance.
1

clint_eastwood added 06:30 - May 27 Yup. Another transfer error by the club. Webster & Clarke should've stayed. Centre-backs problem solved! But no we hung on to a error-proned warhorse Chambo and gave him 3 yr contract!
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clint_eastwood added 06:30 - May 27 Yup. Another transfer error by the club. Webster & Clarke should've stayed. Centre-backs problem solved! But no we hung on to a error-proned warhorse Chambo and gave him 3 yr contract!
1

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