TWTD understands that Blues striker Brett Pitman is close to joining League One Portsmouth.
As revealed in May, the 29-year-old, along with midfielder Kevin Bru, was told he can find a new club over the summer having been in and out of the starting XI for much of his two years at Portman Road. It’s understood there is no fee involved.
A return to the south coast - he has had two spells with AFC Bournemouth - would seem ideal for the Jersey-born striker, who has a year left on his Town contract, although it was understood he was keen to stay in the Championship.
Pitman joined the Blues on a free transfer from the Cherries in the summer of 2015 at the same time that Tyrone Mings moved to Dean Court and Ryan Fraser signed for Town on a season-long loan.
The 6ft tall frontman was the Blues’ top scorer with 11 goals in his first season at the club, while last term he netted only four. Overall he made 42 starts and 28 sub appearances for Town.
Last week manager Mick McCarthy revealed that the Blues had received interest from a club wanting to sign one of his players on a permanent basis.
After the 5-0 friendly win at Drogheda on Saturday, in which Pitman netted the first goal, he added: "We’ll wait until we get back and see if it goes any further.”
Pitman’s probable exit will mean the Blues are likely to step up their moves to bring in another striker.
McCarthy said a fortnight ago that Town are "going to have to lose some before we go around signing too many others" with the one-time Bristol City man understood to be one of the higher earners at the club.
Meanwhile, we understand the Blues have ended their interest in former loanee Ryan Tunnicliffe, who is a free agent having left Fulham at the end of last season.
Having signed Emyr Huws and Tom Adeyemi in recent weeks it’s likely Town boss McCarthy feels he is now well covered for senior central midfielders.