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Bruce to Snub New Town Deal? - Ipswich Town News

Central defender Alex Bruce is reportedly set to snub Town's offer of a new two-year deal. The Blues announced the new terms yesterday after months of discussion with the Irish international and his agent.

Bruce, whose current deal is up at the end of the season, is believed to be interesting a number of clubs with Leeds appearing to head the pack with a national newspaper reporting an imminent £150,000 late last week.

However, there have also been claims of interest from Championship sides Preston, Norwich and Burley, while Italian clubs Fiorentina, Napoli and Genoa have also been linked.

Bruce has been entitled to talk to other clubs since the beginning of the month and could leave the Blues on a Bosman at the end of the season. If the former Birmingham man fails to put pen to paper before the end of the month, then Town would almost certainly look to sell now rather than allow the 24-year-old to leave for nothing in the close season.

Meanwhile, an unnamed trialist is reported to have joined the Blues squad for training at Playford Road yesterday. The club are refusing to comment on his identity as they continue their policy of remaining silent on January transfer speculation.

The player is not believed to be from South America and may be Czech U18 international striker Petr Putz, who TWTD revealed was set for a spell on trial on Sunday, although it was our understanding that the 18-year-old would be with the club later in the month. However, Putz is unlikely to be the only player over to try his luck at Playford Road during the transfer window.

The Slaný-born striker currently plays with Sparta Prague's U19 side and has scored 14 goals in 15 matches this season.

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