x

Town Reportedly Leading Haroun Chase - Ipswich Town News

Town are again being linked with Belgian international midfielder Faris Haroun, who TWTD reported was on the Blues’ radar a fortnight ago. Boss Paul Jewell is said to be leading the chase for the 25-year-old, who is currently with Belgian top flight side Germinal Beerschot.

The Antwerp-based team are looking to offload some of their higher earners this summer and a number of English sides and German clubs FC Köln and Bochum are now said to be showing interest. Zulte Waregem, also from Belgium, were previously linked with the Brussels-born player, who scored five goals in 28 matches during 2010/11.

Haroun, who also holds a Chadian passport, played youth football with RSD Jette and RWD Molenbeek but began his professional career with KRC Genk, making his senior bow in the 2003/04 season.

The 6ft 2in tall midfielder, who is reportedly keen on a move to England, joined his current club ahead of the 2008/09 season, having been a member of Belgium’s Olympic side in Beijing, where he narrowly missed out on a medal. The U23 team, which also included Arsenal’s Thomas Vermaelen, Manchester City's Vincent Kompany and Everton’s Marouane Fellaini, lost the third/fourth play-off to Brazil.

Haroun has been capped six times by his country at full level and has a year remaining on his Germinal Beerschot contract.

Town are known to be eyeing the Belgian market with a scout believed to have watched the recent Anderlecht-Club Brugge clash.

Elsewhere, Watford striker Danny Graham, who was linked with the Blues last month, is reportedly the subject of a £3 million offer from Swansea with QPR and West Brom previously having had £2.5 million moves for the ex-Carlisle man rebuffed.

Swansea’s apparent approach for Graham, who appears destined for the Premier League this summer, may make it even less likely that the Swans will seek to turn Tamás Priskin’s loan switch into a permanent deal.

On Tuesday, TWTD revealed that the Welsh club’s promotion swelled the Blues’ coffers to the tune of £160,000 due to a clause in the loan deal.

What to read next:

Four Changes For Town at Oxford
Town boss Kieran McKenna has made four changes as the Blues target their first ever away league victory over Oxford United (Sky Sports, KO 8pm).
Oxford United v Ipswich Town - Chatroom Open
Join us in the chatroom to discuss the game as it unfolds with hundreds of other Town fans.
Blues Supporting Ipswich City of Culture Bid
Town have announced they are supporting Ipswich’s bid to become the UK City of Culture 2029.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Oxford United v Ipswich Town - Predictions
Have you predicted the Oxford score yet? Ninety three per cent of TWTD members are forecasting a Town win today, four per cent a draw and three per cent for a home win.
U18s Host Brighton
Town’s U18s host Brighton & Hove Albion at Playford Road on Saturday morning (KO 11am).
Rowett: We've Performed Quite Well in the Last Two Games
Oxford United boss Gary Rowett says dropping into the bottom three doesn’t change much for his side ahead of the Blues’ visit to the Kassam Stadium on Friday evening (KO 8pm).
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
[Podcast] Life's a Pitch TV - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Life's a Pitch TV team is now available.
Ashton: We've Requested Meetings With Transport Authorities
Town CEO and chairman Mark Ashton says the club are looking to speak to National Highways and Greater Anglia regarding transport arrangements to and from Portman Road matches.