x

Bart Close to New Deal - Ipswich Town News

Town keeper Bartosz Bialkowski says he’s close to agreeing a new contract with the Blues.

The Pole, whose current deal is up this summer but with Town having an option for a further season, told Polish website 2x45.info that he and the Blues aren’t far away from agreeing new terms.

"The talks about the new contract have already begun," he said. "I think we're close to finalising the deal.

"I'm very happy here and would like to stay in the club. If we reach an agreement I think the new deal will be longer than one year."

The 28-year-old joined the Blues from Notts County on what was initially a free transfer in the summer of 2014, having previously had a spell on loan at Town when a Southampton player without making a senior appearance.

Bialkowski says he would be happy to spend the rest of his career in English football.

"I wouldn't mind that at all," he admitted. "I can't make any definite promises because the life of a footballer is full of surprises but I can't deny I'm feeling great in England. I've been here 10 years and played longer in the UK than Poland."

More immediately, he is hoping to keep his place in the side once Dean Gerken returns from his shoulder injury.

"I want to show my best so the gaffer has no reason to change his first-choice keeper," he continued. "Every game is important. We play Bristol City on Saturday and I'm pretty sure I'll start.

"But for the next game [against Hull] a week later, Gerken should be fit and the manager will have to decide who's his number one.

"I didn't lose my place in the starting line-up because of a dip in form but because of the tragic family event [the death of his father]. But the manager has been happy with my performances so far, so I am quite optimistic about the future."

He added: "The competition has always been fierce and neither of us could ever feel 100 per cent certain about his place.

"It's all in my hands now and I hope I am going to stay in goal for the rest of the season. I know I deserve it."

Reflecting on Town's promotion push, the Braniewo-born keeper said: "It's going to be really tough. There are so many teams trying to get into the top six and the table is really tight.

"It can all be decided yet again in the very last game of the season. We'd like to at least repeat last year's achievement and reach play-offs. Once we're there, anything can happen."

He added: "We reached play-offs last year and I even won promotion with Southampton but I was nowhere near the starting XI so I decided to leave.

"Maybe third time lucky? It won't be easy but I guess never is. The Premier League is definitely my dream."

Bialkowski says fellow Pole Piotr Malarczyk is settling into life in England: "Piotr is pretty much on his own now and he has no problems communicating in English.

"I obviously helped him a bit at first but I never had to babysit him or anything like that!

"We spend a lot of time together outside football and Piotrek visits us quite often. It's definitely a nice thing to have another countryman in the team and I'm sure Piotrek feels the same way as he's lived alone in England so far."

What to read next:

Town and Bromley Meet For First Time in Carabao Cup
Town face League Town Bromley at Hayes Lane in the Carabao Cup first round on Tuesday evening in the clubs’ first ever competitive meeting (Sky Sports, KO 8pm).
Akpom: It's Been a Mad Few Days But I'm Glad to Be Here
New Blues signing Chuba Akpom is delighted to have completed his season-long loan move to Town from Ajax after what he admits was “a mad few days”.
Blues Target Miller Set For Serie A
Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller is set to join Serie A Udinese, despite Town having made an offer for the 18-year-old, according to a report in Scotland.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Town Confirm Akpom Loan Signing
Town have confirmed the signing of Ajax striker Chuba Akpom on a season-long loan.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Police Reviewing CCTV of Birmingham Fan Incident
West Midlands Police say they are “reviewing CCTV footage” as they look into the incident in which Town midfielder Jack Taylor appeared to be assaulted by a Birmingham City fan during Friday’s 1-1 draw at St Andrew’s.
Sassuolo 'Closing in On Muric Loan'
Serie A new boys Sassuolo have revived their interest in Blues keeper Aro Muric and are closing in on a loan deal for the Kosovo international, according to a report in Italy.
New Keeper Starts as U21s Lose Friendly at West Ham
Town U21s, featuring a recently signed new goalkeeper, were beaten 1-0 by West Ham United at their Rush Green training ground in their final friendly of pre-season yesterday.
Hirst: Cajuste's One of the Best I've Ever Played With
Town striker George Hirst has hailed Jens Cajuste as one of the best players he has ever played with following the Swede’s return to the club on loan from Napoli earlier this week.