Pompey’s pursuit of Leicester City defender Ben Nelson has received a double boost.
Foxes manager Steve Cooper has confirmed that he is willing to allow the 20-year-old leave the King Power Stadium on loan if it means more playing time.
Meanwhile, Bristol City, who were considered contenders for the defender’s signature, appear to be closing in on their major defensive target. According to Bristol Live, the Robins are growing increasingly confident of signing Burnley defender Luke McNally on a permanent basis, with a deal for the £3 million-rated Irishman imminent.
According to the same story, Nelson was a ‘insurance policy’ in case City couldn’t agree on McNally, a former Oxford United teammate of Pompey manager John Mousinho.
The Blues are still looking to enhance their central defence options before Friday’s 11 p.m. transfer deadline. As a result, they have long been interested in Ipswich centre-half George Edmundson. The interest in Sydney FC defender Hayden Matthews appears to have come too late in the window. Meanwhile, former Newcastle defender Paul Dummett has been connected, but he does not fit Pompey’s desired profile.
Nelson, who made five Championship appearances for Leicester last season but has yet to play under Cooper this season, appears to be a plausible alternative at this late stage.
And Pompey fans will be buoyed by the noises emanating from the King Power, with Cooper indicating that he will make a decision on some of his young, emerging players in the coming hours. Cooper stated after sanctioning Amani Richards’ season-long loan to Exeter: ‘We have some extremely good young players on whom we must make judgements. Playing time is the most significant factor in youth development. As difficult as it is to let them go, game time is vital. I’ve sometimes let players go to my detriment, but that’s all part of the learning process.
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