Stoke City set to sign Portsmouth captain Marc Wilson
English Premier League outfit Stoke City are said to be on the verge of snapping up Portsmouth captain Marc Wilson.
West Bromwich Albion have also targeted the 23-year-old, but it appears as though the Potters have beaten their EPL rivals to the punch.
Portsmouth manager Steve Cotterill revealed that Stoke are ready to snap up Wilson, who can play in either midfield or defence. Stoke chairman Peter Coates confirmed that Wilson’s transfer would be a part-exchange deal which will see the top-flight side ship Liam Lawrence in the opposite direction.
'Deal very close'
Cotterill told BBC Radio Solent that: "A deal is very close. If we get the deal we're after, it will be a very good one for this football club."
The Pompey boss had yesterday revealed that the utility man could possibly be leaving the club before their Football League Championship clash with Cardiff City at home this weekend. However, club administrator Andrew Andronikou hinted that the player would still be at Pompey for that match.
Cotterill added that: "If Marc's here, he'll play against Cardiff. He's our captain."
Bids 'rejected'
West Brom had reportedly seen bids of around £2.5m and £3m rejected by Portsmouth, with Cotterill previously stating the player was not for sale.
Wilson started out his career as a youth player at Manchester United before moving to Portsmouth in 2004. The 6ft 2in player regularly turned out for the reserve team there and had loan spells at Yeovil Town, Bournemouth and Luton Town.
He made his first-team debut for Portsmouth in September 2008, when he came on as a substitute. Wilson went on to become a first-choice player for the team during the 2009-10 season which saw Portsmouth relegated to the Championship but reach the FA Cup final where they lost to Chelsea. He was named captain of the club this summer.
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