Peterborough United director of football Barry Fry says Posh would be willing to let Blues target George Boyd move to Town on loan with a view to a permanent deal in January. The clubs agreed a fee for the midfielder earlier in the week but the 26-year-old was unable to agree personal terms at Portman Road before the transfer window closed.

Fry, who was speaking on Radio Suffolk’s Life’s a Pitch with Mark Murphy, Blues legend Kevin Beattie and TWTD’s Phil Ham earlier today (listen to the interview here, 0:38:40 into the show), says the deal is currently dead but could be revived on that basis: “We would definitely loan him with a view to a permanent deal being done in January. We would definitely do that.

“But it’s up to Ipswich to convince George. I agreed something with Marcus Evans and it’s personal terms [that are the sticking point] on that.

“My chairman really, really pushed the boat out to get George [to sign his current contract, which is up next summer], he’s the 'White Pelé', to be honest, he’s been magnificent for us.”

The 67-year-old says Boyd was put on very lucrative terms after interest from Middlesbrough two years ago: “The problem with George was when Gordon Strachan at Middlesbrough bid us £2.5 million we wanted to keep him, so we had to make him an unbelievable offer and we made him the highest-paid player Peterborough has ever had.

“Like Paul Taylor, we sat down with George in the summer and offered him another lucrative contract, a testimonial at the end of it, and George said, ‘No disrespect to Peterborough, I want to join a bigger club’.

“He’s been absolutely magnificent for us,” he added. “But the wages he’s on, I don’t think Ipswich can quite get there, so that was the stumbling block with that.

“He is an unbelievable player and if Ipswich did get him, he would be sensational because I know Ipswich fans are brought up on footballers and George Boyd, who covers every blade of grass on the pitch, is a true footballer and the Ipswich fans would love him.”

Regarding reports that further talks took place between Boyd and the Blues on Friday, Fry confirmed that his agent spoke to the club, although primarily at least regarding another matter: “George trained with us, his agent was in Ipswich because he’s got the same agent as Paul Taylor and I think there were some documents which had to be re-signed regarding the Taylor deal, which was why he was there.

“Obviously, Ipswich would be fools not to discuss it further because it could have happened, but it hasn’t happened. Whether that’s the end of it, you’ll have to ask Paul Jewell and Marcus Evans.”

Chatham-born Boyd joined Posh from Stevenage in January 2007 for a then-record Conference transfer fee of £260,000. Boro included a 40%-of-profit sell-on clause in that deal, however, we understand the fee agreed between the Blues and Posh was £250,000 so that wouldn’t be triggered.

Speaking earlier this evening, Paul Jewell dismissed claims that a loan deal was already done but admitted that the move might still happen.

Regarding Taylor, who made his Town debut in today’s 2-2 home draw with Huddersfield, Fry was gushing in his praise: “Bobby Robson always used to tell me that The Beat was the best player that he ever had and I’m telling you that Paul Taylor will be the best player Paul Jewell’s ever had, that’s for sure.

“Potentially he’s that good. He reminds me of Stan Collymore, not in stature or anything, but in terms that when he gets the ball, I get on the edge of my seat because I anticipate something happening.

“If he plays like he did against Reading on Tuesday night, he won’t be with Ipswich very long, he’ll use you as a stepping stone and go in the Premiership.

“He’s a tough little individual with incredible skill and strength and he runs with the ball, beats people and I think he was our leading goalscorer last year with 13 Championship goals in about 35 games.

“He’s not the finished article by a long chalk, but he’s willing to listen, learn and improve beyond recognition and I think Ipswich have really, really made an unbelievable signing.

“I told that to Marcus Evans, he didn’t quite believe me, but believe you me, you’ve got the best deal out of this one, and I’m not very happy!”

Fry says he had lots of interest regarding Taylor during the summer and would have joined a Premier League club had a manager not moved on, although he suspects some clubs were put off by the 24-year-old’s lack of experience: “I think the only thing that stopped clubs coming in and paying £3-4 million for him was that he’s only had that one season last year.

“If he repeats that with Ipswich this year, which I’m sure he will, then there will be bigger clubs wanting him.

“Whether they do is not my business, although I hope they do because I’ve got a good sell-on!

"We’ve got £1.5 million guaranteed and if things happen and Ipswich are successful in the future, which I’m sure they will be, then it could rise to £2 million or £2.5 million.”

Photo: Action Images

davidsc1971 added 22:37 - Sep 1 So I'll ask the question then: if Boyd is supposed to be that good, why is he only £250k?
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alfromcol added 22:39 - Sep 1 Because Peterborough want to shift his wages.
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brass63 added 22:41 - Sep 1 Not sure about the "white Pele". Have to say though thought Taylor looked good. Nice to see a Town player taking on defenders and beating them. Looks a good signing.
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Stretchstar added 22:41 - Sep 1 Kinda split on this, sounds like a fantastic player (although that's according to "the mouth" Fry) but also appears to be motivated by money, not the want to win................Hmmmm??????
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ipswich61 added 22:41 - Sep 1 and we were not prepared to pay what the greedy sod wanted
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Sindre94 added 22:42 - Sep 1 If it can rise to £2.5m he MUST be something special.. Regarding Boyd I hope we get him, hes incredibly rated by people in Posh!!
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SamWhiteUK added 22:46 - Sep 1 Makes a change to hear a club admit that they are overpaying a player
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brockleyblueboy added 22:52 - Sep 1 What a good salesman Barry Fry is! Really hope what he says is true.
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Bigbigg added 22:56 - Sep 1 Not sure how wise it is to take Barry Fry's word for any of these issues... wait and see what happens in the next week or two, and then potentially judge Boyd and Taylor's abilities for ourselves!
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martleshamitfc added 23:02 - Sep 1 Yes this would be a good signing, but I hate to say it, unless we sign at least two dominant defenders we are not going to get any where near the play-offs, let alone the top 2.
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Mark added 23:04 - Sep 1 So Boyd is £1.5M+ but Boyd only £250K? I thought Taylor showed in the first half today why we signed him, with bags of energy, a couple of really good runs...he reminded me a bit of Craig Bellamy. Unfortunately he faded a lot in the second half and was ultimately substituted, so time will tell how he does long term.
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thebeat added 23:12 - Sep 1 can he play at centre half?
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Pabs added 23:23 - Sep 1 As much as I'd like George Boyd to sign, I'd prefer us to use our limited wage budget to try and get another defender in with a view to a permanent deal
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suffolkpunchdrunk added 23:25 - Sep 1 Barry Fry - love him, he could sell a glass of water to a drowning man!
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wrightyblue added 23:25 - Sep 1 We crnt compete with other clubs in this league with wages so no chance in this happening! JEWELL OUT
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siralfstrackie added 23:30 - Sep 1 Posh bought Boyd for £250k, if they sell him for more than that amount 40% of that total amount has to be passed on to Stevenage, comprende? And moving to Portman Road would represent a pay cut for Boyd, would any of you swap your job for one that pays less? Having said that, I'm not really sure that Boyd, as good a player as he may be, is a necessity at the moment

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RetroBlue added 23:52 - Sep 1 If Boyd is so good, how come no other Club has come in for him. Posh want rid - henece the barry fry OTT advertisment about what a wonderful player he is. His wages are killing them now !
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Frankley_Blue added 00:26 - Sep 2 Forgive me if my logic is wrong but as ITFC would be getting Boyd at a discount (and it is so not to trigger the sell-on clause) can't that be used to offset part of an improved pay offer ... ?
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robbo80 added 00:45 - Sep 2 So was he going to Swansea or Norwich then
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Tractamatt added 00:52 - Sep 2 Dont want him would rather keep Martin happy and use the money paying his wages to land a quality Centre back.
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mulligan78 added 00:58 - Sep 2 Frankly.... I suppose the danger there thou with over the odds wages, even due to a cut price sale, would run the risk of upsetting the camp due to others wages/demands? Hopfully if it's to happen the delays leading to a possibility of loan before a permanent deal may work in our favour re "try before you buy" and 1st refusal following the loan if he really proves his worth??

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Karlosfandangal added 01:00 - Sep 2 Like I have said on many post I live in Peterborogh and most of the posh fans are not bothered if he moves on they say he is lazy and can be good but really is an average Championship player ( forest soon sent him back) they say he is an excellent League one player and that is where he scored most of his goals. They say it was buy one get one free (so not too far of the mark) As for Taylor they do rate and hoped he would not go but don't expect him to see out his contract with Town as they feel this time next year he will be in the Prem

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Edmunds5 added 02:35 - Sep 2 Always enjoy Barry Fry, great character. Would be good to get Boyd in but I would choose a decent centre half than getting in Boyd if I had to make a choice.
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itfcblue74 added 04:45 - Sep 2 Call me a sceptic but something that sounds to be true usually is ...sounds to me like another jimmy Bullard scenario plays his socks off in the loan Signs a contract then he goes crap
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ericgates added 07:30 - Sep 2 I was wondering what the clubs stance is now on wages. The high earners have all gone, Bullard, Leadbitter and Bowyer. Edwards and Scotland who would have been high earners last season have taken a pay cut. I'd imagine Ingimarrson would have been on a fair wage as well as Delaney and Sonko. I bet we were paying good amounts a week to cover Stockdale, Andrews, Collins and Murphy's loans. We don't have to pay Peters or Richard Wright anymore. We've brought in Chambers who would probably one of the top earners at the club now alongside Chopra and maybe JET. If Taylor was on 7k at Peterborough, maybe he has moved to the top earners with us alongside Chambers and Chopra, to get him to sign. I don't imagine Luongo is on too much yet at Spurs, and because Murphy is in his final year at celtic and that loan deal took so long to complete, maybe we are paying a smaller percentage of his wages this season. A contribution to N'Daw's wage from St Ettienne might be a bit but not that much and Loach would be a £5-8,000 range. I reckon we may have saved about £50,000 a week in wages there with our transfer dealings, £80,000 a week worth of players leaving, and about £30,000 a week coming in. This raises a few points- This sounds good on paper, £50,000 a week equals about £2.6 million a year, but Leadbitter cost that when we brought him, as well as the other players we have signed or fees and let walk away for nothing. It is like Evans has said we are going to have to swallow these mistakes, and start a fresh from this summer, and from now on,"I'm saving £2.6 million a year in wages". The 4 players we have actually signed will, sadly for us as fans, have some good re-sale value, as Barry Fry has pointed out above, especially Taylor and Hewitt. Loach and Chambers could also move to the Premier league if they have good seasons for a profit. Loans from the premier league,which people are despising right now, are unfortunately the only way we can get more good players to help us immediately compete in this division, and get us to where the real money is for the owner, the premier league. I'd love us to sign some gems from the lower leagues, and I think we will soon, I just think the balance is hard to find, because relegation to league 1 would be disasterous, if they didn't work out or needed time to adapt. That brings me to Boyd, who may 'only' cost £250,000, but that is more than Chambers and Loach and Hewitt, and he is older than them and from the stories we have heard during the week, is on 12k a week at Peterborough. I reckon that is more than we are paying our highest earners now, and even though he is a very good player, he will only decline in value for Evans, plus any budget we do have let surely needs to be used for the defence. Also, it sounds like we have a good, cohesive dressing room at the moment. It makes you wonder if any animosity was caused when Keane brought his boys (leadbitter and edwards) from sunderland on such bigger wages than others, and doing the same with Boyd and Taylor might be a mistake. I'm only summising these things and figures etc, I'm just trying to imagine whats going on behind the scenes and in the owners financial mind and what jewell really has to work with. Every team needs money, but it seems we don't have as much as we used to. But I'm alright with that, it was uncomfortable to labeled as favourites for promotion or to be splashing out millions and millions on players who Ipswich fans don't really identify with. What we need is for the manager, coaches and players to work together and earn their money. If what we have now is what we are going to have all season, then the manager is going to have to improve these players on the training field, that is what he is paid to do. And if being a previous striker as a pro, he can't do it, we need to get a defensive coach in to help him like we had with John Gorman and Stewart Housten. We need the same structure all through the club at all age levels, emphasising our great past and inspirational players and managers, and get the lads to get their heads down and improve themselves on the training pitch, and to be proud to play for Ipswich and not minding putting your head in where it hurts, for Ipswich. As the last few seasons have proved, throwing money at the situation is not always the way and is definatley not the Ipswich Town way. COYB

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