Former Town manager George Burley has revealed that the Blues beat him to the signature of central defender Jason De Vos. Last month the Canadian international agreed to join Town on a Bosman from Wigan Athletic.
Burley says that Derby were also interested but couldn't match Town's contract offer: "Joe has got himself a very good player. I went in for Jason and spoke to his agent, but I'm afraid Derby couldn't afford him.
"We still have some players on Premiership wages, as Ipswich do, and we have to be realistic about the amount of money we can spend.
"It's a juggling act and all the clubs are in the same boat these days. You can't spend what you haven't got."
TWTD's archives show that Town were first linked with the 30-year-old back in October 2000 during Burley's lengthy spell as manager at Portman Road. At that time De Vos was at Dundee United and soon after made a surprise move to then Second Division Wigan.
Burley is also thought to be interested released Town striker Alun Armstrong. The Scot brought the former Middlesbrough player to Portman Road in 2000.