Blues keeper and three-time Player of the Year Bartosz Bialkowski has revealed talks are continuing regarding his new contract, which he says there was "not really a need" to announce had been agreed back in January.
Former manager Mick McCarthy revealed that a deal running to the summer of 2020 plus an option for a further season had been agreed close to the end of the transfer window but Bialkowski, who had been interesting Premier League Crystal Palace, is still to put pen to paper.
”My agent is still talking to the owner so we need to wait and see,” the 30-year-old Polish international told Oscar Paul of The Sun. "It was announced because I said I wanted to stay.
"There were still a few things to sort out and I thought it would just be a matter of time, and hopefully it will be and we are going to come to an agreement. But obviously there was not really a need for it to be announced.
"If my agent comes to an agreement with the owner he is going to give me a call and then we can sort it out. I am very happy here, my family is happy, and that is the main thing. But at the same time, I want to play at the highest level possible.
"I wasn’t annoyed at the announcement, at the time I thought it was just going to be a matter of time to extend it a little bit.”
Bialkowski’s current contract is up at the end of the season but with the Blues certain to take up an option to keep him for a further year even if the new deal remains unsigned.
However, Palace may well come calling again in the summer and other clubs are also likely to show interest.
Bialkowski also revealed he was inadvertently tipped off that manager McCarthy and assistant Terry Connor would be leaving after the Barnsley game when the latter accidentally let it slip.
"Before the game TC said to m, 'Come on Bart, one more, last one'. Then he said, 'No! Three more, three more!
"Obviously they had hd already made the decision. I understamd the fans' frustrations and I respect and love them, but it wasn't nice to hear the chants aimed at Mick.
"I had never experienced anything like the home game against Hull. After 10 minutes the atmosphere was toxic."