Millwall are set to miss out on Portsmouth’s Jamal Lowe with an expected switch to Wigan to be completed this week.

The Lions have coveted the attacker over the last two transfer windows and have seen bids turned down by Pompey.

On the south coast there is an air of inevitability the 24-year-old will leave Fratton Park with sources saying Wigan are conducting advanced negotiations with the Pompey hierarchy.

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Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett remained insistent he wanted to keep the former Hampton and Richmond Borough striker on the south coast but it’s thought Wigan are close to sealing a deal for the £3million-rated striker.

Lowe was granted permission by Jackett to stay away from Portsmouth’s latest friendly in Ireland which fuelled speculation his exit was near.

“I would love Jamal to stay, we all recognise him as one of our better players and a key player for us to try to be successful this season,” Jackett told the Portsmouth News.

“We certainly hope so but there has been a lot going on, a lot of speculation, and a lot of conversations.

“The Championship club we are talking about have made bids.

“They have been talking to the board of directors at the club, but no bids have been accepted and there’s not an agreement to transfer him.

“Obviously all the speculation is genuine and there has been a lot going on.

“For Jamal, he will want to make the right decision – as the club do.

“Is his departure inevitable? I don’t know to be honest with you, it may take some time, three parties to have to agree and, if that's the case, I can only stress we haven’t accepted the bid.

“He has talked about whether he wants to leave, but hasn’t talked in that direct term.

“It has to remain private between the club and the player.

"There were several conversations during the course of last week and he met Mark Catlin (Portsmouth CEO) as well on a personal level.

“He will want to do what is best for him and his career.”

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