Town could lose talented young midfielder Liam Gibbs for a relative pittance with his contract up at the end of the month and Premier League clubs including Leeds United, Brighton and Norwich, and Scottish Premiership champions Rangers all showing interest.
TWTD revealed in January that the 18-year-old hadn't signed the new contract which had been offered by Town and that Premier League clubs were keeping a close eye on his situation.
And there is still no agreement regarding those terms with his existing contract up in just over two weeks. Unlike many Blues players, the Bury St Edmunds-born youngster’s current deal doesn’t include an option for a further year.
We understand that Leeds and Brighton are most keen on Gibbs, who made his first-team debut in 2019/20’s EFL Trophy tie at Colchester and played two more games in that competition last season before being handed his League One bow in November's 2-0 home defeat to Charlton.
Rangers are also monitoring his progress and Norwich were among the clubs to send scouts to watch him as he impressed during the U18s’ FA Youth Cup run, while Southampton showed interest earlier in the season.
If there is no agreement on a new deal before the end of the month, Gibbs, who we understand is keen to stay at Portman Road to continue his development, can depart with the Blues receiving only training compensation for his years in the academy.
Town would try to agree a figure with the club he joins but if they’re unable to do so then the matter would go to a tribunal where they may receive only be awarded a couple of hundred thousand pounds.
The midfielder, who will join his brothers in taking part in the Three Peaks Challenge for charity next weekend, signed his first professional terms with the Blues on his 17th birthday in December 2019