TWTD understands that Town are close to confirming the return of Bersant Celina on loan.
TWTD revealed at the start of July that the Blues were targeting the former loanee, who is currently with French second division side Dijon, having moved there from Swansea in September last year.
Town had held protracted talks with the forward, who previously spent 2017/18 on loan at Portman Road from Manchester City, scoring eight times in 26 starts and 12 sub appearances, while a number of other clubs, understood to include Championship Hull City and Coventry City, as well as sides in the Dutch top flight, were also keen.
The chances of the move happening looked over when Celina developed the heart infection pericarditis in late July having contracted Covid a month earlier.
However, a fortnight ago his cardiologist gave the 24-year-old the all-clear to return to training in a few weeks’ time.
We understand the deal, Town’s 17th signing of the summer, is expected to be completed as soon as today with the transfer window set to close at 11pm tomorrow.
The Blues were initially looking at doing a permanent deal but ultimately a loan switch for the season has been agreed.
Kosovo-born Celina moved to Norway with his family aged two and was a youth player with Strømsgodset before joining Manchester City’s academy in 2012.
In 2016/17 he spent time with FC Twente in the Netherlands on loan, then moved to Town on the same basis the following season.
Celina left City for Swansea in the summer of 2018 for £3 million - having made one senior start and three sub appearances for the Citizens - and went on to make 65 starts and 14 sub appearances for the Swans, scoring 10 times, before being sold to Dijon for a reported £2.7 million in September 2020, signing a four-year contract.
During 2020/21, 5ft 11in tall Celina made 26 starts and seven sub appearances in all competitions for Dijon without finding the net as Les Hiboux were relegated from Ligue 1 having finished bottom.
Capped by Norway at U16, U17 and U21 levels, Celina subsequently switched allegiance to Kosovo for whom he has played U21 and senior games. He has now taken his full caps total to 29, scoring twice.