‘Can't really deny that’: Championship rivals in talks to sign £20m former Portsmouth man after talk of Fratton return
Former Pompey defender Adam Webster is closing in on a move to Championship rivals Sheffield United.
Former Pompey defender Adam Webster is expected to make a move to Championship rivals Sheffield United following his Brighton release at the end of last season.
The 31-year-old departed the Amex Stadium in May after the Seagulls opted against extending his seven-year stay, having amassed 158 appearances in all competitions.
This, of course, prompted talk amongst supporters of a return to PO4 for the centre-back, who rose through the ranks at Fratton Park before his 2016 departure.
That avenue has definitely closed now, with the head coach currently looking to trim his central defensive options following the loan capture of Benjy Arthur.
Webster, though, is expected to make a move to the Championship, with Sheffield United in pole position to land his signature despite interest from West Ham earlier this summer.
Sheffield United boss confirms talks with ex-Pompey man
Chris Wilder confirmed that talks have taken place with the free agent, having been spotted by fans in the Steel City last week.
And the head coach admitted the Blades are looking to add the experienced Premier League man to their ranks this summer.
Speaking to The Sheffield Star, Wilder said: ‘Adam Webster? Yeah, he can't get anywhere unless I put a tash on him and a hat. So, obviously he's been spotted in and around Sheffield over a couple of days last week.
‘I've known Adam for a long time and [he is coming] off the back of a big injury, but not a career-ending injury, ACL at Brighton, out of contract.
‘So, the market that we were looking at and talking about last week is a market of frees and loans. So, he's an interesting one for us.
‘So, he came up for a couple of days. So, I can't really deny that, can I? And he's somebody that's of interest to us.
‘Yeah, I mean, I don't think he'll be available next week, but we're not signing players for January ‘27. We want him to be competing if we do get to that stage.
‘So, it's cards on the table. I met the boy in the summer and he had a few options and a few opportunities and this is still on the table for us.
‘So, understanding that he hasn't had a full pre-season because he's out of contract, I always think that's quite a difficult one as well. Getting back into it with a group as well. Pat (Bamford) was the same and Jairo (Riedewald) was the same really, but it's a market that interests us.
‘If we're successful with it, we'll have checked Adam over and he'll have to complete medical. There will be a sensible return date for him to be involved because we want him to be playing.’
Webster rose through the ranks at Fratton Park and went on to make 96 appearances for the Blues before his 2016 departure.
Spells at Ipswich Town and Bristol City followed ahead of a £20m move to Brighton in 2019.