Portsmouth, Luton Town set for transfer tussle over ex-QPR man | OneFootball

Pompey and the Hatters are among two of the clubs interested in Cheltenham Town defender Arkell Jude-Boyd

Portsmouth and Luton Town may be separated by a division, although that could well change within the next few months, as the two clubs begin preparations for next season with moves in the transfer market.

Championship side Portsmouth and League One side Luton are apparently tracking the same transfer target ahead of the summer window.

Pompey, led by John Mousinho, are fighting for their lives at the foot of the second-tier table, and will be doing everything they can between now and the end of the campaign to retain their Championship status for another year.

Meanwhile, the Hatters are still well within a chance of breaking into the play-offs, although Jack Wilshere's side will need to be almost faultless between now and the end of the season to break into the top six places.

There is every chance the two clubs could meet again next season, whether that be in the second or third tier, but first, they may have to battle each other in the transfer market before facing each other on the pitch.

Portsmouth and Luton Town are interested in signing ex-Queens Park Rangers man Arkell Jude-Boyd

Former Queens Park Rangers prospect Arkell Jude-Boyd has shone in League Two for Cheltenham Town this season, and, according to Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke, several Championship and League One clubs have stood up and taken an interest.

Two of the 'interested' sides in the aforementioned report by O'Rourke are named as Portsmouth and Luton.

As for Jude-Boyd, the 23-year-old has lost his place in the side in recent weeks, having yet to put pen to paper on fresh terms at Cheltenham, alerting a number of clubs across the EFL, with the right-back available to sign on a free transfer this summer.

The defender came through the ranks at QPR, but failed to make a senior appearance in West London, and despite shining on loan with Torquay United, he was released at the end of his R's deal in the summer of 2024.

He'd subsequently sign for Cheltenham and made 34 league appearances in his first season at the club, scoring three and assisting three, but has taken his game to the next level this campaign.

Jude-Boyd attracted the interest of the likes of Derby County and Stockport County during the summer, but remained with the Robins despite this, as he now looks set to leave the club at the end of the season on a free transfer once again.

Portsmouth and Luton are just two of the clubs said to be interested in signing Jude-Boyd this summer, though numerous other sides are expected to court the defender, as this saga looks like it will continue over the coming months.

Why Portsmouth and Luton Town are interested in Cheltenham Town's Arkell Jude-Boyd

There may be a few reasons as to why Portsmouth and Luton may be interested in signing Jude-Boyd this summer.

Portsmouth currently have Jordan Williams and Terry Devlin battling it out for a place as Pompey's right-back, and Mousinho could well look to add some competition to that area of the pitch.

Capable of playing anywhere across the right side of the pitch, but predominantly at right-back or right wing-back, Jude-Boyd would fit seamlessly into Mousinho's tactical setup, and with Pompey on a strict budget, his free availability will no doubt be an attractive proposition for the South Coast club.

Meanwhile, Isiah Jones has recently nailed down his spot at right wing-back under Wilshere, with Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Nigel Lonwijk returning to the right side of a back three.

Wilshere has toiled with both back three and back four formations since taking charge at Kenilworth Road, and with Jude-Boyd's versatility allowing him to play either role, he could be an excellent fit for the Hatters, who will have to fend off heavy interest elsewhere this summer to secure his signature.