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Town Closing in on Bialkowski - Ipswich Town News

Town are closing in on the signing of Notts County keeper Bartosz Bialkowski, TWTD understands.

Although the deal is not yet done, the clubs are in discussions regarding the move and the switch may be completed in time for the 26-year-old to join up with the squad during their training camp at the Carton House hotel in Co Kildare next week. Town travel to Ireland on Sunday.

Last month, TWTD reported that the Pole would be on Mick McCarthy and keeper-coach Malcolm Webster’s list of potential targets, having been interesting the Blues last summer.

Bialkowski spent a short spell on loan with the Blues in 2009 from Southampton without making a first-team appearance and was previously coached by Webster during their time together with the Saints.

While on loan with Town the keeper was red-carded during his reserves debut in a game at Luton when he handled the ball outside the area with the Hatters bearing down on goal.

Earlier in the summer, Bialkowski told the Polish media that he is set to leave Notts County, despite having a year left on his contract and that he was close to a move to a Championship club, with Brighton having been linked.

Speaking last week, Magpies manager Shaun Derry said that although there had been interest in his keeper his club was at that point still to receive an offer.

Town are in need of an additional senior goalkeeper with Scott Loach having moved on to Rotherham earlier in the summer.

The fee County will want for 6ft 4in tall Bialkowski — likely to be in the low hundred thousands - may have been an obstacle preventing the Blues from firming up their interest earlier in the summer but Town are in an improved position with West Ham agreeing to pay an initial £3.75 million fee for Aaron Cresswell yesterday.

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