David Nugent, the Preston North End striker, was allowed to miss training today and travel to Fratton Park for a meeting with Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp.
The 22-year-old, who scored on his senior England debut against Andorra in March, was reported to have agreed terms on an estimated £6 million move to Sunderland several weeks ago, but the club withdrew their offer after being forced to wait on a formal reply.
West Ham United and Everton had also been linked with a move for the England Under-21 player, but Preston’s website claims the club have agreed a fee to take Nugent to the south coast, pending contract talks to be held today.
Nugent scored 17 times in 47 appearances last season, but his goals weren’t enough to help Preston gain promotion from the Championship. The club missed the play-offs by a point and the Nugent was immediately linked with a step up to the Premiership. He decided to wait until after this summer’s European Under-21 Championships in Holland before making a decision on his future.
Nugent was signed for £100,000 by Billy Davies from Bury in January 2005, and went on to finish joint top scorer with Richard Cresswell in his first season. His has played 95 games for the club, scoring 37 goals.