Town boss Joe Royle has confirmed that he made a loan bid for Shaun Derry prior to Leeds United's planned permanent signing of the Crystal Palace midfielder. Palace and Leeds are currently in talks regarding the proposed £250,000 deal which has hit a snag over Leeds' ability to pay the fee.
Royle says that Palace weren't keen on Derry going out on loan: "It was in the last couple of weeks, but Palace were only interested in a permanent deal and, since that was beyond us, that was the end of it."
The Town manager says that despite the attempt to sign Derry he is not in a hurry to add to his squad. With money still tight at Portman Road, any incoming transfers between now and the summer will be loans.
Derry looked all set to sign for Leeds but it now appears the Whites will only have sufficient cash available if a Yorkshire-based consortium supply them with the money.
Leeds have asked for a loan with a view to a permanent signing at a later date, however, Palace have rejected that option. Talks are reported to be continuing.