Barnsley chief executive Ben Mansford says Town are yet to make contact with the newly-promoted South Yorkshire club regarding the recruitment of loanee Paul Digby on a permanent basis.
The Blues are expected sign the 21-year-old during the close season with manager Mick McCarthy having confirmed that he wants to keep the former England U19 and U20 international at Portman Road and with the player saying he is keen to stay.
When Digby, who made one Championship start and three sub appearances for the Blues in addition to two FA Cup games, joined Town on loan in January the deal agreed included the proposed terms of a free transfer this summer if he impressed.
However, Mansford told the Barnsley Chronicle that the Blues are yet to make contact.
"I believe Paul deemed his spell at Ipswich to be successful and I was suspecting that he would have looked to have moved to Ipswich permanently but that hasn’t been facilitated by now,” he said.
"If it hasn’t been facilitated by 27th June then Paul will come back and be part of our squad because he is contracted until the end of next season.
"I am surprised it hasn’t happened to Ipswich so far. I’m not quite to the bottom of the reasons why.
"If he is here with us for pre-season then we hope that experience at Ipswich would be positive. He enjoyed his time at Ipswich.”
While with Town Digby, who had played most of his football in midfield, operated as a right-sided centre-half. Despite Town’s recruitment of another right-sided central defender, Adam Webster from Portsmouth, we understand the Blues remain interested in adding Digby to their squad.