Boss Roy Keane has confirmed that skipper Jon Walters has asked to leave the club with Stoke City his most likely destination - if they offer the Blues their valuation of the former Chester man. Walters, who missed Tuesday’s Carling Cup tie at Exeter with a virus, is also interesting another Premier League club.

Keane says £3 million-rated Walters spoke to him earlier in the summer asking to move on: “He said he is aware of the interest and he wants to go, he wanted ‘out of Ipswich’, they were his exact words.

“I tried to talk him out of it, not for too long, but then I said ‘you can go when the time’s right and the figure’s right’. And until that’s the case Jon will be here. He might be here for another year.

“But I know the clubs are talking and we’re getting closer. There are a couple of clubs interested in Jon.

“I would say Stoke are the favourites because Jon wants to get back towards that neck of the woods, like he did two years ago. He managed to get a new contract then. That won’t be happening again.”

Keane admits he is frustrated at the way the move has been handled by his captain, who he feels has had his head turned by those who might offer him top flight football: “He’s under contract here but we all live in the real world.

“Are players getting tapped up? Absolutely, 100%. Can I prove it? Obviously not, unless I get agents’ and managers’ phone bills. It’s the way of the world.

“Jon’s had his head turned and he’s told me in the last few weeks that he wants to go, and good luck to him.”

Keane says Walters remains his captain, for the time being at least: “He is today, but football changes on a daily basis.”

Walters, who has two years left on his Town contract, joined the Blues from Chester for a fee of £100,000 plus add-ons in January 2007 during Jim Magilton’s time as manager.

Photo: Action Images

jas0999 added 17:37 - Aug 12 Walters wanted to leave two years ago - but Jim refused. If the players doesn't want to play for us and wants to go - I say goodbye! £3M is a great deal. Let him go Roy!
0

ipsrichtown added 17:38 - Aug 12 Good riddance Walters. You are worth no where near 3 million. Good business if we get that for him
0

IvorTheEngine added 17:39 - Aug 12 let him go good money ,norris for captain
0

IvorTheEngine added 17:39 - Aug 12 let him go good money ,norris for captain
0

BLUEBEAT added 17:40 - Aug 12 WALTERS BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
0

FrowsyArmLarry added 17:41 - Aug 12 I don't agree with the comments saying he's not worth 3m. I think he has wanted to leave ever since Stoke showed an interest as his performances have suffered. If we let him go cheap we will look stupid when he is Stokes star man next year.
0

Seasonticketsteve added 17:46 - Aug 12 Thought there might be some truth in this as posted on previous stories, as Keane says "no player is bigger than the club" and it would seem its only a matter of time before Walters leaves now. Does explain the McCormack link now & Scotland deal, until Walters leaves though I will continue to give him my support as he has been a good servant for the club and at least deserves that.

0

OsborneOneNil added 17:49 - Aug 12 Bluemurder......Stokes Star Man, funny as!
0

BlooooCD added 17:49 - Aug 12 £3million for a player like walters i think is good business. We don't want any players that don't want to be here and I for one applaud his honesty... Not like Pablo and others that will sit on the side counting the cash. I don't think he is anywhere near as sharp or as fast as he was a couple of seasons ago and Chuck makes a great captain!!! Get the deal done and re-invest the money in our new look s**t hot team... As Keano has said 'no-one is bigger than the club'! COYB's

0

GinjaBumBum added 17:50 - Aug 12 I'd be happy to see him go for Roy Keane to bring in younger and better players and talent. Althought i dont think that Walter performed well for us This season, last season and the season when Jim Magilton was in charge. Carlos Edwards is much better anyway.
0

dreblue added 17:51 - Aug 12 Ummmm judging by this story I am a bit concerned that a) he will go and b) I dont think it will be for the 3million everyone is talking about. I can see a deal of 2mill coming in tbh!! As keen says "I wouldnt lose a night sleep over it" ONLY if we do get McCormack and Scotland. If we dont then I would have to question the size of our squad, which obv isnt big enough, highlighted clearly by the injuries we have at the moment! As Seasonticketsteve says tho... I will cheer and sign Walters name until he leaves as he has always given 100%! COYB!!!

0

muhrensleftfoot added 17:52 - Aug 12 There's always been a thing about his wife wanting to move back to the north west having not settled well down here. Also you can't blame a player for wanting to join a Premier League club. Let him go for £3m. Sorry to lose him but that's life
0

yesjohn99 added 17:59 - Aug 12 3 mill for someone who doesn't want to play for us......yes please!! now all we need is some mugs to take lazy pablo off our wage bill and things are looking up.
0

floridaboy added 18:04 - Aug 12 Get rid as soon as possible. Make Norris club captain and leave Walters on the bench. £3m is way over the top for him especially after the 2 cr*p seasons he has just had. As for going to Stoke. They will be in the championship next season for sure
0

bedsitfc added 18:12 - Aug 12 any player that wants to leave ipswich should never get on the pitch, norris captain and leave walters lot untill he is sold.
0

hamster153 added 18:13 - Aug 12 I think Walters is more thn just a player on the field. He's a big charachter and makes alot of goals as well as being top scorer twice in the three years hes been at Ipswich. Still cnt see why we need to sell. A t least keep our best players. coyb
0

I_AM_GOD added 18:19 - Aug 12 As long as he continues to show committment to the club while playing, I will cheer him on. Just because he wants to leave does not mean he won't still give what he can otherwise it won't look good for anyone looking to buy him will it. As Keane says, it may not happen now or even till next year, and I expect him to be professional enough to keep giving it his all till then.

0

PortmanOz added 18:25 - Aug 12 Never been a Walters fan, Yes tries hard but no end product. He sold his house in January and the move didnt happen, Long as he leaves on Towns terms and not his. £3mill. You can have him
0

Daleyitfc added 18:26 - Aug 12 I believe his wife couldn't deal with the concept of having a garden, her own washing line and an inside toilet. She'll be happier moving back up north ....
0

Blue_badge added 18:34 - Aug 12 dreblue at 17:51 said " I will cheer and sign Walters name until he leaves" Isn't that an admission to forgery ?? Can't think of what else it means :-)
0

blueherts added 18:34 - Aug 12 2.5 m plus Andrew Davies
0

blueherts added 18:37 - Aug 12 Andrew Davies plus 2.5m
0

tedmaul added 18:37 - Aug 12 Cut off his head and impale it to the gates of FPR. A warning to all other insubordinates considering a move to fresher fields...? I jest of course. Fair play JW, gave your all while you were here and a healthy profit on original outlay. Everyone's a winner. Best of luck at Stoke/other PL club.
0

blueherts added 18:39 - Aug 12 Great bit of bizzo but wold like to see a Right back and Davies can play there as well as CB - JW was great first season but wife wants back to NW so get rid
0

kiwomyashuffle added 18:39 - Aug 12 Good luck to Walters, he's not a 3m player and i doubt we will get that for him but everybody wants to play in the prem. Suprised by all the stick for Pablo. He's a very good team player at championship level (holds teh ball up and brings others into teh game) in my eyes and he's alledged bust-up with Keane before the Spurs friendly only shows that he wants to play!! Last season we looked a better player with him in the team and kept and moved the ball better. Im not sure how many blogger have played at a high level?

0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls