Exclusive: Portsmouth race Championship clubs to sign Walsall defender

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Published on:

25 Jan 2021, 7:47 am

Cardiff City, Huddersfield Town, Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City, Portsmouth, Peterborough and MK Dons all chasing Walsall centre-back Zak Jules, Football Insider can reveal.

He's a ball-playing left-sided centre-back who has been covering at left-back.

A recruitment source has told Football Insider all these clubs have been watching him and have been in contact with Walsall about a January deal.

The 23-year-old has played 19 times across all competitions this season and has filled in at left-back in recent weeks.

He moved to the Banks's Stadium at the beginning of last season after a spell with Macclesfield Town and has played 41 times for Walsall.

The former Scotland Under-21 international has not played above League Two level previously.

He was on the books of Reading and Shrewsbury Town but did not make a competitive appearance for either club.

Instead, he enjoyed loan spells Hemel Hempstead, Braintree, Motherwell, Chesterfield, Port Vale and Barnet.

Portsmouth have already added a left-back this window in the shape of the experienced Charlie Daniels.

The former Bournemouth defender moved from Shrewsbury last week on a free transfer.

Pompey have also added George Byers on loan this window but Kenny Jackett revealed he still has one place left for a player over the age of 21.

The south coast giants suffered a 4-0 defeat to Hull City on Saturday that leaves them four points behind the top two and the automatic promotion spots.

In other news, Football Insider understands a club have agreed to sign a Blackburn Rovers player.

MK Dons

Birmingham City

Cardiff City

Peterborough