Town chairman David Sheepshanks has denied weekend reports linking Birmingham City co-owner David Sullivan with a move for the Blues. Sullivan was said to want to buy Town once the ongoing sale of Birmingham had been completed.

However, Sheepshanks says the tabloid report was news to him: “To my knowledge the story linking David Sullivan to Ipswich Town has no foundation.

“By coincidence I met David and his fellow Birmingham director David Gold at Royal Ascot last Thursday where we had all been invited as guests.

“I have known both for several years through our football dealings and we had a general chat. But nothing more.”

Sheepshanks has refused to comment on progress regarding the permanent signing of former loanee Franny Jeffers from Blackburn Rovers. The Blues are understood to have made a third bid — reportedly £1 million including add-ons — for the former England striker.

Meanwhile, Darren Bent's £16 million move from Charlton to Spurs will either be completed today or has hit a stumbling block, depending on which newspaper you read.

According to some reports Bent will undergo a medical at White Hart Lane today, while other papers claim that Charlton are still holding out for the £17 million fee previously agreed with West Ham for the former Town striker's signature. Bent ultimately decided against a switch to Upton Park.

The Spurs deal as it stands at present is understood to be £15 million up front plus another £1 million in top-ups. If that is the case, Town would receive £2.48 million from their 20%-of-profit sell-on plus further cash when the add-ons are triggered.

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