Town boss Mick McCarthy has confirmed that full-back Jonny Parr is close to joining Strømsgodset back in his native Norway. TWTD revealed that the Blues were in talks with the Norwegian top flight side last Saturday and that a deal was close on Friday.
"There is a potential move for him,” McCarthy confirmed at his press conference following the 2-2 FA Cup draw with Portsmouth.
"I think that’s his team and he really wants to go back. He doesn’t want to be here any more, he’s got that chance to go back.
"There’s sort of not really any point in keeping him, his contract is up at the end of the season, that’s going to be a player down for me.
"I think it’s better for him that he goes and good luck to him because he’s been a good player for me, he’s come in and stepped in, coming on at Millwall and scoring, he’s done all of those jobs, so if he gets his chance, and that’s what he wants to do, it’s probably best for all parties.”
Parr, who was left out of today's 18, joined the Blues following his release by Crystal Palace in the summer of 2014 and has made 29 starts and 14 sub appearances, scoring three goals.
Strømsgodset boss, former Sheffield United striker Jostein Flo, later told Norwegian TV channel TV 2: "We've agreed with Ipswich the transfer of Jonathan Parr, which was why he wasn't in their squad today.
Strømsgodset er enig med Ipswich om en overgang for Jonathan Parr. Medisinsk test og personlig kontrakt gjenstå. pic.twitter.com/ITLWg5JOra– Strømsgodset Fotball (@strmsgodset) January 9, 2016
"It remains for personal terms to be agreed and medical examinations to be taken over the weekend, but I have great faith that this will be in order and that Jonathan will be our player."
We understand that the deal could be completed as soon as Monday with Norwegian sources indicating that Strømsgodset will pay the Blues a fee of around £70,000. McCarthy will seems certain to bring in another right-back as cover.