Town have announced that they have indeed given Arsenal permission to talk to Richard Wright and that a substantial offer has been received from the Gunners. Rerports suggested this earlier and despite a denial from Wright's agent Jonathan Barnett the story is true.

Club chairman David Sheepshanks said: "I can confirm that Arsenal made a substantial offer for Richard Wright over the weekend on the basis of which the Board have given permission for Richard to speak to Arsenal about personal terms. We understand that these talks are now taking place, besides which some formalities remain to be sorted out prior to the completion of a transfer. These include the fact that he will have to pass a medical when he returns from holiday in early July."

It seems Wright had a clause in his contract specifically referring to an approach from Arsenal, Sheepshanks again: "If Richard was ever going to leave Ipswich Town we knew Arsenal was his preferred choice and when he signed his new three-year contract this summer we agreed with him that if Arsenal made an acceptable approach then we would not stand in his way. Such a move was not envisaged this coming season and has been made much earlier than expected, ideally we would want Richard to stay but we understand he sees this as the ultimate move for his career progression."

Of the recently signed contract Sheepshanks said: "Supporters may wonder why such an agreement was made with Richard in relation to a possible approach from Arsenal but very simply if we had not done so he would not have signed a new contract and we could have lost Richard on the Bosman Ruling and received no compensation at all. While candidly this move is unwelcome on our part, if a deal is concluded come early July we clearly have contingent plans in place to replace him before the new season."

Favourite to replace Wright is former Norwich keeper Andy Marshall who has been linked with Town all summer. The Norwich keeper would arrive on a free and expect a battle for the number one jersey with Keith Branagan.

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