Barnett: Bent Ready - Ipswich Town News
Jonathan Barnett, Darren Bent's agent, says the 20-year-old striker is now ready for Premiership football. When rumours linked Bent with a move to the top division last season, Barnett advised his player that it was too early in his career to leave Portman Road.
Barnett said: "Darren is ready to play in the Premiership and that could happen this time round but it depends if Charlton make an improved offer for him before Tuesday."
The Bent deal was all but done earlier in the week but, with Charlton confident they had landed their man, the Blues asked for an increased offer.
A newspaper report this morning claims that Liverpool or other clubs may try to make a move for fellow striker Dean Bowditch before the closure of the transfer window on Tuesday.
However, if the Bent deal goes through - and it appears as if it will do - then there seems little probability that the Blues would allow Bowditch or any more of their youngsters leave.
Matt Richards, perhaps significantly left out of Town's squad for the weekend due to a minor injury, and Ian Westlake are also players who may be coveted by top flight clubs.
Bent's keenness to play in the Premiership could alert other clubs. Newcastle and Southampton were interested last summer, while we understand that Everton have been keeping an eye on the England U21 player's progress and may well find themselves with cash to spend before Tuesday's deadline once Wayne Rooney makes his expected departure.
What to read next:
Hull City v Ipswich Town - PredictionsHave you predicted the Hull score yet? Sixty per cent of TWTD members are predicting a Town win this evening, 27 per cent a draw and 13 per cent predicting a home win, but what do you think?
Leeds Thrashed at QPRThe 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 RoleTown’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 OutTown 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 BladesTown’s U18s are in Professional Development League Two South action at home to Sheffield United on Saturday morning (KO 11.30pm).
Rosenior: Our Cup FinalHull 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.
Moore: To Be in This Situation With Three Games to Go is UnbelievableKieffer 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.
McKenna: We Have Big Confidence in OurselvesTown 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).