Crystal Palace are in the mix to sign Portsmouth defender Joel Ward.
At a Palace fans’ forum on Friday, manager Dougie Freedman revealed he and chairman Steve Parish met a possible replacement for Nathaniel Clyne on Thursday and agreed a deal.
That player is understood to be 22-year-old Ward, who is likely to be the first Pompey player to leave in a firesale at the south coast club as they look to ease their financial crisis and escape administration.
Freedman kept tabs on Ward for most of last season but faces competition from Leeds United and Ipswich Town, who have also held talks with the in-demand right-back.
A decision is expected this week and if Freedman and his team fail to land their man they could turn their attention to Doncaster Rovers’ Mustapha Dumbuya, who spent time on loan at the Eagles last year and is expected to reject a new contract offer from the League One club.
He favours a return to Palace but is behind Ward on the Eagles’ wanted list.
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