x

Barnsley Reject ÂŁ1m Town Bid Claim - Ipswich Town News

Town are reported to have had a ÂŁ1 million bid for Barnsley forward Marley Watkins turned down.

According to Sky Sports News, the Tykes have rejected the Blues’ offer for the 25-year-old, who came on as a sub and scored and claimed an assist in Town’s 4-2 opening day win over the South Yorkshiremen at Portman Road.

Lewisham-born Watkins was brought up in Swansea and joined the youth set-up at his hometown club.

Watkins, who is 6ft 1in tall, moved on before making a senior appearance and broke into first-team football with Cheltenham before joining Bath City, initially on loan, and then Hereford United in 2012.

A year later he moved on to Inverness Caledonian Thistle, where he scored the opening goal in the 2-1 2015 Scottish Cup final win against Falkirk, before signing for Barnsley in the summer of 2015.

Watkins, whose grandfather was famous Welsh poet Vernon Watkins, who was close friends with Dylan Thomas, has another year left on his contract at Oakwell, where he has made 44 starts and four sub appearances, scoring nine goals.

Primarily a right-sided midfielder for much of his career, Watkins can also operate as a centre forward - where he is currently playing for Barnsley and where he previously impressed for Caley Thistle - and may well be viewed as someone who can play in that role with the Blues looking for a replacement for Daryl Murphy, who moved onto Newcastle at the weekend.

Watkins has previously been named on standby for Wales but without making it into a squad.

Town target Lukas Jutkiewicz's proposed move to Birmingham from Burnley, as reported earlier this evening, is believed to be a loan deal.

What to read next:

Luongo Completes Millwall Move
Millwall have confirmed the signing of former Blues midfielder Massimo Luongo on a one-year deal.
Stanislas Appointed First-Team Coach as Town Add Set-Piece Analyst
The Blues have appointed former AFC Bournemouth, Burnley and West Ham winger Junior Stanislas as a first-team coach.
U19s Beaten in Second Game at Czech Tournament
Town’s U19s were beaten 3-2 by Slovan Bratislava in their second and final group game at the Zlaty Kahan tournament in Czechia yesterday.
Town Continue Pre-Season at Aberdeen
Town face Scottish Premiership Aberdeen at Pittodrie in their second public friendly of the summer this evening (KO 7.30pm).
Town Women to Start WSL2 Season at Southampton
Ipswich Town Women will open their first ever second-tier season with a WSL2 away game at Southampton on Saturday 6th September (KO 2pm) with Nottingham Forest the first visitors to the JobServe Community Stadium, the Blues’ new home, the following weekend.
Morsy: The Best Spell of My Career and Life
Departing Town captain Sam Morsy has issued a message to fans, teammates, manager Kieran McKenna and his staff following confirmation of his move to Kuwait SC, while the squad and ex-players have paid their own tributes to the Egyptian international.
Town Confirm Morsy Exit For Kuwait SC
Town skipper Sam Morsy’s move to Kuwait SC has been confirmed.
Town Announce Matchday Ticket Prices
Town have confirmed their matchday ticket prices for the Championship season ahead.
Luongo Close to Joining Millwall
Former Blues midfielder Massimo Luongo is closing in on joining Millwall following his trial with the Lions.
Eze Nets Twice as U19s Draw Opener at Czech Tournament
Striker Nelson Eze scored twice as an U19 Town side drew 2-2 with hosts Banik Ostrava in their opening match at the Zlaty Kahan tournament in Czechia yesterday.