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Berra Links Resurface - Ipswich Town News

Town are continuing to be linked with a move for ex-Wolves central defender Christophe Berra. The Blues were reported to have been in advanced talks with the 28-year-old early last week.

Towns and at least one other club are understood to have offered terms to the Scottish international, who was linked with Rangers earlier in the summer.

Questioned about his interest in Berra last week, manager Mick McCarthy admitted that he’d like him at Portman Road but felt money might be an issue: "He’s a free transfer and he’s a really good defender, Christophe.

"If I could sign him, I’d be delighted. Whether we can afford to sign him, because he’ll have other offers, he’s a good player.

"But I like him, I signed him [for Wolves], for heaven’s sake, I paid £2 million for him and he helped get us promoted and helped keep us up for two seasons as well.”

The Blues are very much in the market for one probably two centre-halves with Tommy Smith and Luke Chambers the only central defenders currently on the staff.

Since the initial reports regarding Town’s offer to Berra broke, the Blues have taken a number of defenders on trial, including Titus Bramble, ex-Manchester United youngster Frederic Veseli and Tottenham’s Bongani Khumalo.

Talks are ongoing regarding a season-long loan for Khumalo, while McCarthy has been impressed with Veseli, who played at right-back at Gillingham on Tuesday.

Edinburgh-born Berra came through the youth system at Hearts and broke into the senior side in the 2003/04 season.

Capped 27 times by Scotland, scoring twice, Berra joined Mick McCarthy’s Wolves in January 2009. The 6ft 3in tall defender went on to make 149 starts and five sub appearances while at Molineux without scoring.

Berra, whose father is French, had been expected to move back to Scotland to join Rangers but, speaking earlier in the month, Gers’ boss Ally McCoist confirmed that that move wouldn’t happen: "The deal for Berra is off. I think he is going to go to a Championship club.”

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