Wigan Athletic striker Jason Scotland is tipped to be the player boss Roy Keane said he was “unbelievably close” to signing yesterday. The 31-year-old former Swansea frontman appears likely to leave the DW Stadium during the close season as part of a clear-out by boss Roberto Martinez.

Rumours regarding the Trinidad and Tobago international appeared on the TWTD Message Board last night and have persisted this morning with claims of an initial loan deal to give the clubs time to settle the terms of a two-year permanent switch. The story has subsequently been picked up by national newspapers with a fee of £750,000 claimed, while there are reports elsewhere that the player is weighing up the switch.

Scotland started his career his career in his home country with San Juan Jabloteh and Defence Force, who Carlos Edwards was also with earlier in his career.

In 2003 he joined Dundee United after a trial, moving on to St Johnstone two years later and then Swansea City for a fee of £25,000 in 2007.

Scotland enjoyed a hugely successful spell with the Swans, netting 29 goals in all competitions during their 2007/08 League One promotion campaign and 24 in the Welsh side’s first year back in the Championship.

Last summer the 5ft 8in tall striker moved on to Wigan for £2 million but the switch hasn’t been a success, the Trinidadian netting only one league goal last season.

Nicknamed Rocket, Scotland has won 41 full international caps and has scored eight goals, playing alongside Town midfielder Carlos Edwards and former Blues loanee Stern John.

Yesterday, boss Roy Keane said he was very near to adding a striker to his squad and hinted that that player might not be Cardiff’s Michael Chopra, the man understood to be his number one target.

The Blues boss also said that he had a number of forward players in his thoughts: “There are two or three players I’ve got in mind in terms of attacking positions that we need. The deals we’re looking at would be permanent because we need some permanent players who we know will be at the club for two or three years to help bring it forward.”

Photo: Action Images

crazyblue added 13:22 - Aug 6 Take him.... He offers more than our current strike force put together (with the exception of Wickham). I cant help but think that Chopra dont wanna come to Ipswich, so the sooner we all realise that fact the better! He probably wants out of Cardiff and wants to play for Keane again, but Ipswwich aint exactely high profile is it!!?? Another proven goalscorer is Rickie Lambert..... Cant believe he is gonna start the season at Southampton in League 1!

0

JonBlue added 13:32 - Aug 6 A strong pacy striker with a record of a goal every two games at Championship level and at 31 experienced but not over the hill. Seems like a decent signing to me especially considering our obvious weakness in that department.
0

MJallday added 13:45 - Aug 6 i agree, on the face of it this looks like its a good signing. now if we could get him AND chopra, then stick wickham in there as well ide be genuinely excited about that line up
0

WadzillaBhoy added 13:53 - Aug 6 I can't believe people are saying no to this deal, he is probably just as good as Chops and at a fraction of the price. Chopra at £4m is way too overpriced, especially considering the position Cardiff are in. They should really be accepting a bid of £2.5m - £3m considering they are broke. But looking to make a profit off his sale when they bought him with money they didn't have well thats way too cheeky, Keano has done the right thing to just walk away. Who knows they might be in a really desperate position in Jan and might have to accept anything for either Chops or Whittingham!

0

WadzillaBhoy added 14:14 - Aug 6 He could be the new Johno
0

blue_floyd added 14:21 - Aug 6 Definitely worth a go. He is a proven goalscorer at Championship level, which is what we're crying out for.
0

robdaful added 14:36 - Aug 6 How about do what Jim did for Jon Stead. Get him on loan so he can play tommorow then sort out a fee before the window shuts or a loan with a view of a permanent switch. Also does anyone know howm much the fee is believed to be?
0

WREXHAM_BLUE added 14:39 - Aug 6 This would be a brilliant signing; simple as!!
0

bluearmy4life added 14:46 - Aug 6 A really good championship player would definetly score plenty of goals. Quite a good move from Keane proven goal scorer for a lot less money than chopra. I would be still very happy if he joins the blues. With him and wickham up front i really think there are goals in both of them. COYB
0

robdaful added 14:50 - Aug 6 I'm suprised nobody has said about when Jim M nearly signed him when Swansea got promotion to the Cola Cola Championship.
0

Sindre94 added 14:55 - Aug 6 Do u guys think it's impossible to get Chopra AND Scotland? -COYB!
0

brogansnose added 14:58 - Aug 6 lighteningboy @ google classic shirts or vintage shirts and you get to somewhere close. Much prefer Scotland to Chopra who i reckon is too expensive a gamble. Got a really good record at this level, lets do it. Along with Ebanks from Wolves.
0

Lightningboy added 15:23 - Aug 6 Thanks brogansnose...I have searched all those sites before but can't find that one anywhere..shame cos I think it's the nicest of the lot.
0

MarkITFC added 15:28 - Aug 6 would be a great signing , Big and knows where the goal is would be a handful to mark ... anyone thats saying nooo to this is mad ! , Keanooo Sign him up
0

HadleighBlueBoy added 15:32 - Aug 6 I've heard of worse potential signings although for me whether this is a good move or not depends a lot on price! Still want Chopra as well - then I might start to look forward to this season.
0

Alexsandr_Orlov added 15:37 - Aug 6 Too old at 31 and has been poor at Wigan, not the quality of striker we should be signing, unless Chopra comes as well? This is a big disappointment for me if true, might as well of got Shefki back!!! God I loved those celebrations when him and Benty were scoring for fun...... now we can't hit a barn door from 6 yards out!!!!
0

exeterblue10 added 15:46 - Aug 6 Amazing, we'll have had Brazil, Holland and Scotland all playing for us!
0

depressed added 15:51 - Aug 6 If it comes off then great, just a shame we havn,t signed anyone up front in time for tomorrows game..
0

Alexsandr_Orlov added 15:57 - Aug 6 Below are Scotlands stat's at Wigan started 14 games 18 as sub and scored 1 goal, should fit in well at Ipswich!!! 2009/10 Statistics TEAM Competition GS SB G A SH SG FC FS YC RC Wigan Athletic Premier League 14 18 1 2 40 13 16 14 1 0 Glossary GS: Games Started, SB: Used as Substitute, G: Goals, A: Assists, SH: Shots, SG: Shots on goal, YC: Yellow Cards, RC: Red Cards, FC: Fouls Committed, FS: Fouls Suffered, SV: Saves, OF: Offsides, W: Wins, D: Draws, L: Losses

0

DrJeckyll added 16:13 - Aug 6 would be happy to see him here, never been overly excited about Chopra and dont think he's worth millions. 31 too old? Must be a lot of teenagers commenting on here :-)
0

Tiggs added 16:50 - Aug 6 Get him in
0

bluelady added 16:59 - Aug 6 Alexsandr_Orlov - if you are going to quote facts make them like for like. it didnt work out in the Premiership (um nor did a certain Chopra???!) look instead at his seasons with Swansea in the championship and quote again........
0

legoman added 17:07 - Aug 6 Has been.
0

itfc1981 added 17:09 - Aug 6 not a has been, brilliant Championship Striker! good buy, he will be great with Wickham if it happens.
0

jas0999 added 17:40 - Aug 6 Well, a handful of comments really sums up some of the so called 'fans' of this club! These people moan when Roy isn't linked to a striker ... then when we are linked to a guy who scores for fun at this level they STILL moan. I guess these are the same people who moaned about Garvans performances last season and then moaned when he was sold! Simply unbelievable. Scotland would clearly be an excellent addition to the squad. If we got Chopra as well then we are back in the game! Just need to get through the game tomorrow and hopefully build during the week.

0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls