Brentford manager Andy Scott says released Town central defender Pim Balkestein could join the Bees permanently if he is unable to find another Championship club. The Dutchman ended the season on loan at Griffin Park and has been told he will not be offered new terms at Town.
Scott said: "I haven’t made an offer to Pim Balkestein yet, although I have spoken to him twice, and he’s going back to Holland to have an operation on his nose and groin.
"He’s been told he won’t get a new contract at Ipswich, but he still wants to play in the Championship. However, if that doesn’t materialise, he said he loved his time here and would be happy to return.”
Balkestein, 23, is also understood to be exploring his options back home in Holland.
Meanwhile, former Blue Russell Osman says the £5 million understood to have been offered by Spurs for Connor Wickham is nowhere near enough to secure the 17-year-old's signature.
Speaking while co-commentating on last night's England U17s victory over the Czech Republic, Osman said: "They’ll get Connor Wickham’s right boot for £5 million, and that’s all!”