x

Webster Ignoring Transfer Talk - Ipswich Town News

Town defender Adam Webster is doing his best to ignore transfer speculation linking him with a move to the Premier League.

National newspapers have reported that both Sunderland and Everton have been monitoring Webster this season with a view to launching multi-million pound bids to secure his services in the January transfer window.

But Webster, who only joined Town from Portsmouth in a £700,000 move last summer which also saw Blues youngster Matt Clarke move in the opposite direction, said: "I don’t really take much notice of any of that stuff. I just want to focus on my football and let that do the talking.

"I see myself here long term. My loyalties lie with Ipswich, I’m an Ipswich player and I’m not focused on any other speculation. There’s always going to be speculation with players playing week in, week out.

"But it’s just the media. Every player gets speculation, no matter who they are, so you can’t look into that. You’ve just got to keep your head down and play your football.”

However, interest from the top flight would be no surprise to Town boss Mick McCarthy, who has already labelled his 22-year-old as a future Premier League player.

But Webster added: "I’m still proving that I can play at this level before even thinking about moving anywhere else. I’m not thinking about anything like that, just focusing on my football.”

Pompey will be keeping a keen eye on their former player's situation with the League Two club due 20 per cent of the profit if and when he moves on.

Meanwhile, Webster is hoping he will line up against non-league Lincoln in tomorrow’s FA Cup third round clash at Portman Road.

McCarthy has often been known to rest regular first-teamers for cup-ties but Webster said: "I want to play as much as I can. Obviously, it will be a difficult game against Lincoln. They are doing very well in their league and they will feel they have nothing to lose, so it will be a tough one. But I definitely want to play in the game — and I want to play as much as possible.

"I played at the same stage of the competition last season when I was at Portsmouth and we came out of the hat with Ipswich. We saw it as a good chance as lower-league players to show what we could do against a higher standard of opposition.

"No doubt the Lincoln players will be feeling the same way. They will be up for it and it will be like a cup final for them.”
Webster recalled how Pompey secured a draw at Portman Road 12 months ago and then won the replay at Fratton Park to earn a fourth round home clash with Premier League opposition in Bournemouth.

Ex-Town winger Gary Roberts gave the League Two club the lead just before half-time but the Cherries hit back to win 2-1 and Webster added: "I don’t think the gaffer was too worried if we won or lost. It would have been nice to have won and get another big club but he didn’t mind us losing at that stage because of the backlog of games.

"That’s probably why the build-up to the game here last year was so relaxed and I can see it being the same for Lincoln.”

What to read next:

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.
Young: Working With McKenna Again Was a Massive Pull
New Blues signing Ashley Young says manager Kieran McKenna played a big part in his decision to join Town having left Everton at the end of last season.
Town Confirm Young Signing
Town have confirmed the signing of veteran former England international Ashley Young on a one-year deal.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Released Forward Roberts Joins Stevenage
Released Blues U21s forward Matty Roberts has joined League One Stevenage following a trial.
Young Close to Completing Town Move
Veteran former England international Ashley Young is close to completing a move to the Blues on a one-year deal.
Former Town Youth Coach Owen Dies
Former Town youth coach Brian Owen has died, aged 80.
Emmanuel-Thomas Joins AFC Totton
Ex-Town forward Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has joined National League South AFC Totton following his release from prison on parole.
Young Watches Son as U21s Beat Needham
Former England star and apparent Town target Ashley Young watched his son Tyler feature as a trialist for Town's U21s on Tuesday evening as they beat 10-man Needham Market 2-1 at Bloomfields in a pre-season friendly.
Young Watching Town U21s at Needham
Veteran former England international Ashley Young is watching Town’s U21s in friendly action at Needham Market with his son Tyler on trial with John McGreal’s squad.