x

Town Close in On West Brom Midfielder Harper - Ipswich Town News

TWTD understands the Blues are closing in on the permanent signing of West Brom central midfielder Rekeem Harper.

The 21-year-old, who we understand will cost Town around £500,000, came through the ranks at the Hawthorns having joined the club as a 12-year-old.

He was handed his Premier League debut in August 2017 aged only 17 when he became only the second player born in the 2000s to play in the top flight.

The Birmingham-born schemer has gone on to make 17 senior starts - seven in the league - and 14 sub appearances for the Baggies, scoring twice.

Harper, who is 6ft 2in tall, spent time on loan at Blackburn Rovers in 2017/18 and ended last season at Birmingham City.

The former England U17 and U19 international looks set to become the Blues’ third addition of the summer with the transfer window officially opening today.

Last week, forward or right-back Wes Burns joined from Fleetwood for an undisclosed fee and midfielder Lee Evans signed on a free from Wigan.

Town are also continuing their pursuit of another central midfielder, Rotherham United’s Matt Crooks.

Harper’s signing would add to the West Brom links at Town with chairman Mike O’Leary a former CEO with the Baggies and Blues CEO Mike Ashton having been a player, coach and director at the Hawthorns.

What to read next:

[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Leeds Thrashed at QPR
The battle for promotion at the top of the Championship took another dramatic turn this evening when Leeds United were thrashed 4-0 at QPR, a result which confirms Leicester City’s promotion to the Premier League and puts the Blues in the box seat for the second automatic spot.
Gilmartin to Continue Interim Irish Role
Town’s head of goalkeeping Rene Gilmartin will continue his role on Republic of Ireland interim head coach John O’Shea’s staff for the June internationals, the FAI has announced.
Season Tickets Sell Out
Town have announced that season tickets for the 2024/25 season have sold out through existing renewals, meaning no new fans will become season ticket holders for the campaign ahead.
U18s Host Blades
Town’s U18s are in Professional Development League Two South action at home to Sheffield United on Saturday morning (KO 11.30pm).
Rosenior: Our Cup Final
Hull City boss Liam Rosenior insists the Tigers’ home game against Town, a match which he describes as his team’s cup final, kicking off at 8pm on Saturday is an advantage in the race for the final play-off places.
Life's a Pitch TV - Episode 38 - Ray Crawford
This week’s Life’s a Pitch TV with star guest Ray Crawford is now available on YouTube.
Moore: To Be in This Situation With Three Games to Go is Unbelievable
Kieffer Moore is excited about the next nine days that will see Town travel to Hull and Coventry in search of precious points before the season ends on Saturday week with Huddersfield the visitors on a day that could, depending on what happens between now and then, see the Blues hosting a second successive Portman Road promotion party.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
McKenna: We Have Big Confidence in Ourselves
Town boss Kieran McKenna says his team have “big confidence” in themselves going into Saturday evening’s visit to Hull City, the first of three games which will decide whether the Blues win automatic promotion back to the Premier League after 22 years away (KO 8pm).