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

Guthrum added 18:48 - Aug 12 I wouldn't leave Walters out while negotiations are ongoing. For one thing, he's always tried hard for Ipswich. Why would that change if the club's not standing in his way? For another, it's in his interest to play as well as he can at the moment - his performances are the shop window to attract and encourage decent offers from his potential target club(s).
0

Lightningboy added 18:51 - Aug 12 "I want out of ipswich"?...righto,off you go then and don't let the door hit you on the arse on the way out. Remember jon..you were nowhere when we came to your rescue. Hopefully we'll get someone in who wants to play for us. Agents have got so much to answer for though & your average footballer isn't exactly the sharpest tool in the box so they just do what they're told by their "financial advisors".

0

Suffolk_n_Good added 19:23 - Aug 12 Spot on Lightningboy, I am v.disappointed in Walters, he has not handled himself well in this situation, I hope for his sake the move goes through, otherwise he may find himself getting a hard time. As others have said, no point in keeping players that don't want to play for the club, & at £3m or even £2.5m I think it will prove to be good business.
0

keith_1986 added 19:44 - Aug 12 I'd take £3 million for a player with no discernible end product. We don't need grafters out wide but quality, Townsend on the left looks like a very good deal, Edwards when fit may have the odd good game but I think he'll be injured too much. That money will enable us to fill all the problem positions with solid Championship players
0

Walker22 added 20:00 - Aug 12 No-one deserves to play if they publicly state they don't want to be at the club. Is he suffering from delusions of grandeur? He hardly had a great one last season. 3M would be a great price for someone who will struggle with Premier league football. Off you go Jonny boy and take your pigeons and whippets with you.
0

rosseden added 20:00 - Aug 12 i think theres alot to be said about the fact its stoke who want him, not really a passing / attractive footballing side..... alot of people moaned about our up and under tactics last year, maybe thats why he'll fit in at stoke, working hard, tracking back then off we go with some kick and run seems to be his forte..... ideal for pulis's shambolic way of playing..... if a decent footballing team was chasing JW id be thinking he might be worth £3m, as its stoke, i think its damn good business for us. he can chase delaps throws all day long...... good luck JW and thanks for the £2.5m+ or so profit..... good luck with Pulis, hes a right donkey......

0

Barhamblue added 20:02 - Aug 12 Let him go to Stoke. He'll then be back in the championship next year with them. Second season syndrome! And then they can worry about his high championship salary. However I must say good luck Jon your work rate is outstanding!
0

Jesney_Havoc added 20:02 - Aug 12 Faff...
0

chrisw2045 added 20:09 - Aug 12 Jonny Walters has always given his all for Ipswich and has been a fantastic servant for the past three years. He has never denied he wants to return to the north nearer to his home as he has had a difficult time with his daughter in hospital and its best for his family. Has been one of Ipswich's best players of the noughties and i hope everyone at Ipswich gives him a big cheer on Saturday. He will be a revelation in the Premiership.

0

ITFCKeano added 20:12 - Aug 12 My old man was chatting to Jon at the Cricket match a couple of weeks ago. I was raised in Stoke and my dad was there for 20 odd years (let the sympathy start) so my old man had a good chat with him about the area as I'm told he was asking him questions. Sounds like he was interested in moving there then - Poor guy. From what he was saying to him his missus is a big factor in any move - she's still wishing to be closer to her 'home' up the M6 (not that you didnt already know that) but Jon mentioned it too. Sounds like its not because he's not loyal to ITFC but loyal more to his lady. You cant knock that sort of loyalty. Seems a decent bloke torn between two loves. I for one wish him well.

0

Upbeat~ added 20:14 - Aug 12 Go for it my son! Your committment and passion for playing in an ipswich shirt could never be doubted and I hope you enjoy the challenge of the premier league. Fans never like to see a player ask to leave their beloved club. However, he's sought a move in a very professional manner and sometimes players, like everyone else, feel that they need to move on in order to achieve everything that they want to do in their careers. A shining light at the club for several seasons, best of luch John in the Prem if you end up going there - will look out for you on MOTD! Plus £3m is sensible business for a good player operating in the championship.

0

bluewarrior added 20:37 - Aug 12 Shock horror! Footballer tapped up by another club and agent sniffs a profit! To be fair to him, as Keane says 'can't blame him' in the circumstances and credit to Keane too if he can replace him with Scotland, McCormack and some change for wages. Actually despite the fact that Walters didn't really stand out for most Town fans he'll fit the Stoke 'style' well. Still think it's a shame that we don't seem to be able to get Chopra or the lad from Leicester.

0

robdaful added 20:57 - Aug 12 He can go. If we can get his replacement in. I'm sure he would understand. And it sounds like Keane is trying to start a bidding war.
0

bluepeter added 21:05 - Aug 12 bluebadge, he might be talking about walter (see ginjabumbum)!
0

renoble added 21:32 - Aug 12 Second season syndrome? It's their third... Good bit of dealing if he goes for anything above 2m, giving him marks for effort keeps us mid table. It's quality we need...
0

KeaneBlue added 21:44 - Aug 12 over reliant on Walters as an outlet down the right hand side over the last season or so - which has resuted in us being predictable at best.................. Besides which if we get 3 Mil for him,I would help back his bags! Get shot, and rebuild a balanced left and right side and be a prominant force in the division!
0

leadbitter6 added 21:47 - Aug 12 explains why he's been so poor the last 2 seasons.
0

fluffy_wool added 21:48 - Aug 12 Good money for a player who has not been great over last couple of seasons. I agree with most people on here noris for captaincy. Reports i heard suggested garvan and Walters had training bust up hence why garvan was played little last season and consequently sold by keane. He should also be deposed cos why play a player who's heart is not with the club anymore.
0

south_aussie_blue added 22:07 - Aug 12 Fook off then
0

renshaw added 22:14 - Aug 12 I won't be sad to see him go He was awful last season
0

lunatic38 added 22:19 - Aug 12 To be fair if he has a chance of playing premiership football and going closer to home then i can understand this move, he has been a good servant to Ipswich he is not leaving on bad terms ( if we make a good bit of money on the deal ) and his move will pave the way for new blood. Good luck if you leave Jon and may the Blue Army march on! COYB
0

featherhead added 22:25 - Aug 12 shame. he played well against boro but if he wants to leave then so be it..... 3 million is a lot of dosh
0

Dogsy40 added 23:17 - Aug 12 There goes my shirt for the year.......... He has been unsettled for 2 seasons and has produced far from his best. Proving there is no point keeping hold of players when their heart is elswhere, no matter how good they are. Though its sad to see him leave I think he will do very well being closer to home. Footballers are human, if he misses home fair play to him. I think he has been a great champ for ITFC.

0

austractor added 02:01 - Aug 13 "out of ipswich"? good riddance you fat arse. he will be just another giant at stoke, but money is money so we will take the 3 million and he can take his pay rise and get used to stapling his butt to the bench. We will play a better style without him anyway IMO.
0

jesus added 03:33 - Aug 13 It's fascinating how someone can say I want 'out of Ipswich' and people assume it means 'out of this crap club' and then react based on this assumption. Probably liked Walters yesterday and now he's the enemy. It's amazing how the Daily Mail and the Telegraph and esp the Times can get away with publishing such utter crap about our manager, taking something he says and creating a total alternative reality with truths and accurate details peppered here and there for effect. Maybe the version of Roy Keane as the unstable loony is more interesting for people who need an escape from reality. I suppose maybe papers can publish dramatizations about RK because he doesn't really give a toss. It's not worth it to him to become this or that in the eyes of the public. Good on him I say. But what impresses me the most is that so many people eat that sh*t up like it's going out of style. What an interesting world we live in.

0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls