Town manager Paul Hurst says the interest in striker Martyn Waghorn is still very much there, the 28-year-old having been left on the bench throughout today’s 2-1 friendly defeat to West Ham.
Derby are the leading contenders for Waghorn having had a bid believed to be £5 million rising to £8 million turned down earlier in the week.
Sheffield United previously had an offer of approaching £5 million turned down, while Middlesbrough and Birmingham are also interested and Nottingham Forest have been linked.
Asked whether it was any clearer whether Waghorn would stay or go, Hurst said: "Again, I couldn’t say. What I can say is that, as far as I’m aware, the interest is still very much there, that’s the reason he didn’t make it on to the pitch today.
"We just felt it was everyone’s interest - the player, ourselves - that he wasn’t out on the pitch and risking injury.
"As I said the other day, it’s not an ideal situation, but it’s not the first time it’s every happened to a player and a football club and a manager.
"But hopefully it can be resolved so we can put it to bed one way or another. That’s what I think everyone would prefer.
"And again it’s very much let’s see what happens in this next week, I’d guess it’s a little bit more than that. But certainly the next week, let’s see where we are going into that Blackburn game.”
Is the situation any closer to a resolution? "I’m not sure. Again, that’s genuine, who knows. If someone decides all of a sudden and bid £20 million then I’d say it would be resolved pretty quickly.
"That’s part of it, naturally a major part of it is the fee, which I’ve spoken about. Not quite at the level I believe he’s worth.”
Will Waghorn feature in next week’s opening Championship fixture against Blackburn if things are still up in the air?
"Will he feature?” Hurst pondered. "I’d probably say he would, but again the situation might be almost at a point where we’re almost there.
"But realistically, if he’s here next Friday, then I’d want him to be involved in the game against Blackburn.”
Earlier in the summer, interest in Bartosz Bialkowski was headed off when the keeper was given a new contract.
Asked whether Town are making similar overtures towards Waghorn with the player understood to be happy at the club, Hurst responded: "I think he is [happy here]. Again, without giving you all a licence just to go and grab him and have a chat with him, I think that conversations that I’ve had with him, I know what’s been said and unfortunately I’m not willing to share that with you. They’ll remain private.
"I think sometimes it’s very easy as press, as fans to think there’s an easy solution, often you don’t quite get the full story.
"Like I said, all I ask is for people to try and trust myself and the club to do what we feel is right and again in everyone’s best interest.
"It might not be what everyone particularly wants, but sometimes you have to make decisions or make a stance to what you feel is best for Ipswich Town.”
If Waghorn does depart, Hurst admits he will have to move quickly to find a replacement with the transfer window closing on August 9th.
"I think we’d have to because what we can’t do is leave ourselves short and at the minute we feel we need players in anyway if there was to be another departure, then clearly that adds to the need to get players in," he said.
Would the short time before the window closes cause players’ prices to increase? "Again, everyone has a value. I understand what you’re saying but we’ve got to get to what we feel is right and not overpay, not be held to ransom.
"We want to just try and do the best for the football club. He hasn’t gone anywhere yet, so it may be that we’re trying to sign people anyway.
"And with all due respect to ourselves, I think everyone knows that we’re not one of the big hitters, big spenders, we haven’t got the luxury of the Premier League parachute payments etc.
"So we’ve got to do what’s right for us and conduct our business where we can. A big part of my job is try and find people that maybe are not on everyone’s radar, people that I feel that can step up that other people think otherwise.”
Quizzed on his interest in Waghorn after Derby's 2-1 friendly victory over Wolves, Rams boss Frank Lampard said: "He's an Ipswich player and he's not someone to comment on.
"It's not right to comment. I'm very pleased with what we've got here but if there are good [players available] then we will look at it.
"We may do more signings. There is time left and if we can improve then we will look at it. We have plans and if the right options come up then we will."