Varney eyeing Pompey exit

Luke Varney: Does not want to play in League One at this stage of his career and hopes to complete a move to the Championship by next week

Portsmouth striker Luke Varney has revealed he is on the brink of leaving the cash-strapped club and hopes to complete a move by the start of next week.

The South Coast side are keen to offload several members of their first-team squad in a bid to rebuild following their relegation to League One last season.

The 29-year-old has been linked with a number of Championship suitors, including Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds, with the latter thought to be in pole position for his signature.

Varney, who only joined from Derby last summer, admits he does not want to play in League One next season and hopes to finalise his exit from Pompey before pre-season training commences next week.

"It was difficult for everyone connected at the club both on and off the pitch, but hopefully there's some good news for me on the horizon and I can look forward to enjoying my football again this season," he told Sky Sports.

Getting closer

"There are a couple of clubs speaking to Portsmouth and I believe that a fee was agreed with one of them on Tuesday, so it seems that I am getting closer to joining a new club every day.

"Hopefully, we can get things sorted before pre-season begins, which is the start of next week.

"I feel that it is quite important to meet up with my new team-mates as quick as possible because the games come thick and fast once pre-season starts and everybody is keen to make an impression.

"The Championship was the lowest I wanted to play at really because at my age I feel that I'm coming to the peak of my career and it looks like I'll be playing there again this season."