Notts County keeper Bartosz Bialkowski’s move to Town appears to be getting closer to completion with developments expected later today.
The deal appeared to be on the verge of going through more than a week ago but stalled towards the middle of last week.
County had initially been willing to allow the 27-year-old, who has a year left on what is a significant contract for a League One club, to move on a free transfer to release some cash for further additions, but were subsequently understood to be after a small fee, while the Blues were determined to keep to the original arrangement.
As reported on Wednesday, talks between the clubs were continuing with the move still expected to go through. Now the Nottingham Post reports that progress is likely today.
County boss Shaun Derry confirmed Town’s interest in his keeper following his club’s first pre-season friendly on Wednesday, while Blues manager Mick McCarthy remained tight-lipped regarding the move when quizzed at Shelbourne on Saturday. Perhaps notably, Bialkowski was left out of the Magpies side which lost 3-1 at Mansfield at the weekend.
In early June, TWTD reported that Bialkowski would be on Mick McCarthy and keeper-coach Malcolm Webster’s list of potential targets, having been interesting the Blues last summer.
Bialkowski previously spent a short spell on loan with Town in 2009 from Southampton without making a first-team appearance. He 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.
The 6ft 4in tall Braniewo-born keeper started his career in his home country with Olimpia ElblÄ…g and Górnik Zabrze before moving to Southampton, where he worked with Webster and ex-Blues boss George Burley, in January 2006.
Another loan spell at Barnsley followed the next season and with his opportunities during his six years at St Mary’s having been limited to just 41 starts and one sub appearance — former Town man Kelvin Davis having been the Saints’ number one for the most part — he joined Notts County on a three-year deal in the summer of 2012. He has gone on to make 92 appearances for the Magpies.