x

Hurst on Edwards and Tilt Bids - Ipswich Town News

Town boss Paul Hurst says it’s news to him that the Blues have had an offer for winger Gwion Edwards accepted but hopes that that is the case.

Asked about the story, which broke last night, Hurst responded: "Have we? That’s news to me!”

Quizzed on whether Edwards, 25, is a player he’s interested in, he added: "I like the player, that bit’s news to me. Hopefully, you’re right.”

It’s believed the Blues and Posh have agreed a fee of £700,000 with the former Wales U21 international’s previous club Crawley set to receive a six-figure sell-on windfall. It's likely the Town-Posh deal includes further top-ups and also a sell-on clause.

Questioned about Blackpool central defender Curtis Tilt, for whom the Blues are understood to have made a £550,000 offer, he added: "I think we can roll the list on and on and on. I want a centre-back. I don’t know whether Curtis will be the one or not.

"And also I think what we have to appreciate is whether clubs want to sell, the prices they’re going to cost.

"That all has to come into the equation because we can all be a manager standing there saying we want this player or that player.

"But those players are good players, they’re probably the type of calibre I’m looking for.”

Would he have wanted more signings before now and more with a Championship pedigree? "Championship experience doesn’t bother me, doesn’t faze me. We’ve had success elsewhere. I just want good players. I think I’ve said in the past that they can come from Mars if they’re good players. That’s what I’m interested in.

"Would I have liked more? Yes, as I said in my first press conference, I’d have wished we’d got the squad all together on the day we arrived back, but we all know that was never going to be the case. But we would like them in sooner rather than later.”

He says Adam Webster’s exit to Bristol City for an initial fee of £3.5 million has given him more freedom in the transfer market than he might otherwise have had.

"Yes, there’s no doubt that helps,” he said. "Any funds that come in are clearly going to be utilised to try and strengthen the squad again.

"Him leaving, we already said we needed a centre-back, we probably need two now. Jordan Spence played there in the first half today. It’s not foreign to him, he’s played it before but I think we’d all agree his number one position is as a full-back, which he went to in the second half.

"And the only other recognised centre-half we’ve got at the minute is Luke Woolfenden, a very young player. I think the potential is there, but is he ready for Championship football? I think that’s a big, big ask.”

What to read next:

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.
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.