x

Joe Refutes Links - Ipswich Town News

Town manager Joe Royle has ruled out signing two reported targets, Everton striker Duncan Ferguson and Charlton midfielder Graham Stuart. The transfer window rumour mill seems to have really got started today, with a report also claiming Bolton are interested in Shefki Kuqi.

Ferguson, a loan target of Town last season, was linked with the Blues in the national press over Christmas but Royle says he is not interested: "We won't be going after Duncan."

The Town boss says the Blues will also not be in the running for the signature of Graham Stuart, who has been told he can leave Charlton. Royle said earlier in the season that had the club agreed to let Darren Bent join the Addicks in August, he would have asked for Stuart as part of the deal.

Bent is likely to be the subject of most speculation during the transfer window and Royle admits he has had informal enquiries about his availability. Norwich City were one of those clubs but manager Nigel Worthington said over the weekend that he has given up on the idea of signing Bent or Crewe's Dean Ashton.

Ashton has also been linked with Town but Royle says his £3 million price tag puts him out of reach. The Blues' boss has previously said that Ashton would have been his number one target had Bent been sold in August.

Royle has also ruled out making an approach for released Bolton striker Les Ferdinand.

The Trotters themselves are reported to be looked at Town striker Shefki Kuqi. According to a report they may look to him should they fail to sign Dynamo Moscow striker Dmitri Bulykin.

Kuqi's contract is up at the end of the season but the Blues would certainly demand a fee for their top-scoring striker, something which may beyond Wanderers, despite their Premiership status.

Recent reports indicated that Sam Allardyce would not have a budget for anything other than loan signings as he seeks to strengthen during the transfer window.

Royle is still looking to add at least one player to add to his squad, having made enquiries regarding two unnamed players recently.

As previously reported, Town will have Monaco midfielder Jimmy Juan and 21-year-old Paraguayan central defender Angel Martinez on trial from Thursday.

What to read next:

[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Six Released as Town Women Announce Retained List
Ipswich Town Women have announced their retained list following the 2024/25 season in which they won the FAWNL Southern Premier League title and promotion to the second tier, now known as the WSL2, for the first time with six senior players released.
Ex-Town Loanee Andrews Now Strong Favourite For Brentford Job
Former Blues loanee Keith Andrews is now an odds-on favourite with all bookies offering prices on the Brentford job, Town boss Kieran McKenna having drifted out overnight.
Hutchinson Focused on Euros
Blues forward Omari Hutchinson insists his focus is on winning the European Championship with England’s U21s rather than his future at club level.
McKenna Some Bookies' Favourite For Brentford Job
Town boss Kieran McKenna is some bookies’ early favourite for the vacant Brentford job following confirmation that Thomas Frank has taken charge at Tottenham Hotspur, but with little real clarity on who the Bees’ next head coach might be.
Hutchinson's England U21s Win Euros Opener
Blues forward Omari Hutchinson helped England’s U21s to a 3-1 victory over Czechia in their opening group game at the European Championship in Slovakia.
Valencia Linked With Burgess
La Liga Valencia are showing interest in Town centre-half Cameron Burgess, according to Spanish reports.
Hutchinson's England U21s' Euros Campaign Starts Against Czechs
Town forward Omari Hutchinson and his England U21s teammates get their European Championship campaign under way when they face Czechia in Dunajská Streda, Slovakia this evening (KO 8pm, Channel 4).
TWTD Questionnaire 2024/25
There’s still time for you to fill in the annual TWTD Questionnaire, your chance to look back in judgement on Town's 2024/25 season
Town Fans Take Total Raised For Food Bank to £20,000
Town supporters donated more than £6,000 to Ipswich Town Fans Supporting Foodbanks in 2024/25, taking the overall total raised since the group began their monthly matchday collections in January 2023 to £20,000.