Nugent closes in on Pompey switch

Pompey have yet to confirm the news but according to the Portsmouth News, Nugent will complete the move after the expected formality of taking a medical tomorrow.

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The 22-year-old, who won his first England cap as a goalscoring substitute in the Euro 2008 qualifier against Andorra in Barcelona, looks set to sign a four-year contract to become manager Harry Redknapp's sixth signing of the summer and partially solve his striker crisis.

Nugent was believed to be at Preston's Springfield training ground saying goodbye to his team-mates after arriving at Fratton Park yesterday morning for renewed transfer talks having initially asked for more time to think over his options.

Portsmouth were thought to have earlier baulked at Preston's valuation of the player.

But with Nigerian striker Kanu's future uncertain after repeatedly turning down only a one-year new deal and Svetoslav Todorov joining Charlton, they may have felt obliged to pay up after Sunderland pulled out of a bid for the player.

Nugent has a year left on his contract at Deepdale and was thought to be waiting for a deal to be put to him by Everton.

Rennes striker John Utaka, Kanu's front-line partner in the Nigeria national side, is another striker under Pompey's microscope and they could press ahead with a deal for him despite another £6million valuation from te French club.

Nugent will be expected to link up with his new team-mates on their trip to the west country ahead of Saturday's opening pre-season friendly with Yeovil.

And he will also travel with the squad to Hong Kong for the Asia Cup next week. He follows defenders Sylvain Distin, Hermann Hreidarsson and Martin Crainie plus two midfielders, £7million Sulley Muntari and £1.5million Arnold Mvuemba, into the club.

And the continuing transfer activity will certainly please Sol Campbell, last season's star signing, who insists Pompey need more "serious" fire-power up front to be a force again next term.

Campbell faces competition for his own position at the back from newcomers Distin and Hreidarsson but insists: "The team is good shape but for me the real buzz (about the new season) won't come until I see some serious players up front."

Despite moves to recruit the likes of Sevilla's Fredi Kanoute and Tottenham's Jermain Defoe appearing to be blocked, Campbell has pledged his own future to the club and is ready to fight for his place after recovering from an Achilles injury at the end of last season.

He insists: "I know the club has got to do its deals and it is difficult because everybody wants the top players, but if we can add more strength up front it will make all the difference."