Hopes fade in Blues’ race to sign Edmundson
Edmundson leans towards Rangers as Pompey eye swift double
POMPEY’s hopes of beating Rangers to George Edmundson are fading.
But the Blues still anticipate unveiling two new signings before the week is out.
Pompey have agreed a fee in excess of £600,000 for the Oldham’s Edmundson, with talks having now taken place.
However, the Blues fear Rangers are the 22-year-old’s preferred destination during the battle for his signature.
Edmundson is currently weighing up the Fratton Park offer following discussions.
Rangers, though, are pushing hard to capture the centre-half, with sources in Scotland suggesting they are growing increasingly confident of landing him.
Certainly, Pompey have not abandoned hope of securing Edmundson, as they brace themselves to lose Matt Clarke.
Doubts exist, however, and the wait continues to discover whether they have succeeded in persuading him to come to the south coast.
In the meantime, Kenny Jackett has scrapped interest in signing Freddie Ladapo following negotiations.
The Blues had agreed a fee with Plymouth for the striker who netted 19 times last season.
However, it is understood the club could not meet Ladapo’s wage demands, prompting them to pull out of a deal and focus elsewhere to strengthen their striking options.
Regardless of walking away from interest in the former Crystal Palace man, it is shaping up to be a busy week on the transfer front.
Jackett is closing in on the free transfer signing of Gary Mackay-Steven from Aberdeen.
A deal with the out-ofcontract winger has been agreed, with a medical requiring completion before the move is sealed.
The Blues are also confident of landing another player before the week is out.
Paul Downing is among those who remain on their radar, available on a free transfer following his release from Championship side Blackburn.
Presently, James Bolton represents Pompey's sole business of the transfer window and will challenge for the right-back spot.
With Nathan Thompson departing upon the expiry of his contract at the month’s end, Jackett wants competition for Anton Walkes.
Jackett’s squad are scheduled to return to training on June 27, with the Blues boss keen for the majority of his new signings to be in place by then.
There also remains the issue of Clarke and Jamal Lowe’s futures, with the pair continuing to be in demand this summer.