x

Town Get Bent Windfall? - Ipswich Town News

Town's new manager could be provided with a £1 million-plus transfer war chest with Liverpool reported to be ready to offer Charlton £9.5 million for former striker Darren Bent. The Blues are due 20% of any profit the Addicks make on the England frontman as part of the deal agreed last summer.

Bent has scored 22 goals in 44 games since returning to the Premiership with Charlton and made his England debut in the friendly with Uruguay in March.

Although he failed to impress Sven-Goran Eriksson enough to include him in his World Cup squad - a move which could have netted the Blues £400,000 from from Charlton for competitive international appearances - Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has long been understood to be an admirer.

The Addicks paid Town an initial £2.5 million in June 2005 plus £50,000 instalments when he made his 20th and 40th appearances for the South Londoners. If the reports regarding Liverpool are correct, that would see £1.38 million roll into the Town coffers for squad strengthening ahead of 2006/07, in addition to any funds raised by the share issue.

Jim Magilton and Bryan Klug continue to appear the big favourites to be the men to spend that cash, should it materialise, with Town expected to finally make the announcement of their new manager next week.

Academy director Klug says he knows nothing of Newcastle's interest in taking him to St James' Park in a similar role and that he is happy at Portman Road, perhaps indicating that his new director of football position assisting Magilton - which would see him continue in control of the Town academy - has already been agreed.

The latest boss rumoured to have been interviewed and rejected by Town is Martin Allen, who resigned from his job at Brentford earlier in the week.

What to read next:

Scherpen Fee Agreed
Town and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise are reported to have agreed a fee for keeper Kjell Scherpen.
Scherpen Left Out of Friendly as Deal Moves Closer
Town and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise are moving closer to a deal which would see Dutch keeper Kjell Scherpen join the Blues.
Maeda: Happy to Fulfil Premier League Dream With Town
New Blues signing Daizen Maeda is delighted to be fulfilling his Premier League dream by joining Town.
Town Confirm Maeda Signing
Town have confirmed the signing of Japanese international Daizen Maeda from Celtic, the forward having penned a deal which runs to the summer of 2029.
O'Shea One of Two Red-Carded as Cartagena Friendly Ends Goalless
The Blues ended their pre-season training camp at La Manga with a 0-0 draw with local side FC Cartagena, both sides ending the match with 10 men after skipper Dara O’Shea and Marcelo from the home team were bizarrely sent off in the closing stages.
Town End Spanish Training Camp With Friendly
Town end their pre-season training camp with a behind-closed-doors friendly against local Spanish side FC Cartagena on Saturday morning (KO 9am BST, TownTV).
U21s Win Second Friendly in Slovakia
Town’s U21s came from a goal down early on to beat Slovakian side DAC 1904’s B team 3-2 this evening, Tudor Mendel netting twice and Kellyan Olawole once.
Youngest-Ever Town U18s Player Joins Newcastle
Schoolboy Eli Hall, who last season became the youngest player ever to have appeared for the Blues’ U18s before deregistering from the academy last month, has confirmed his move to Newcastle United.
Hull Confirm Morita Signing
Hull City have confirmed the signing of Blues target Hidemasa Morita, the Japanese international having penned a two-year deal with an option for a further season.
Matchday Ticket Prices Frozen
Town have frozen matchday ticket prices for the season ahead.