Former Blues loanee Jimmy Bullard says he would be a “very happy man” if a deal could be done to facilitate his return to Portman Road. The one-time England man began pre-season training with Hull City this week but with a move away from the KC Stadium looking all but certain this summer.

Hull are desperate to offload the 32-year-old, who has two years remaining on his £45,000-a-week contract, which makes up 21% of their wage bill.

The midfielder, who was named the Blues’ Player of the Year after a hugely successful loan spell in the second half of last season, was recently reported to be in talks with Hull regarding a settlement of his contract. The Tigers are as yet unwilling to talk about a further loan, preferring to get the £5 million signing from Fulham's future sorted once and for all.

Town boss Paul Jewell had ruled the Blues out of the running for his former Wigan player’s signature but, as TWTD reported last week, the large fee received from Sunderland for Connor Wickham will have made a potential deal more achievable.

Bullard, who is understood to have held talks with QPR earlier in the summer, says his future is still very much up in the air: “I’ve not really thought about things too much yet. I’ve been away for six or seven weeks and now I’m back in training with Hull.

“At the end of the day I’m still contracted to them and I’d be more than happy to play for them next season.

“If they turn around and say they don’t want me to play for money reasons then we’ll have to see what happens.

“I loved every single minute of my time at Ipswich last season and made some wicked friends. If there was some way I could sort out a move there I would be a very happy man.”

Meanwhile, the Town squad continue to report that pre-season training is hard work, young keeper Cody Cropper tweeting this morning: "Absolutely wrecked! But can't wait for day six of pre-season, as long as it’s not the same thing as we did on Monday!”

Photo: Action Images

WD19 added 09:57 - Jul 7 Like an ex-hirlfriend that has moved on, but keeps having moments of doubt. Jimmy - stop doing this to me. I can't take it anymore......
0

Blue92 added 10:00 - Jul 7 I shall have my fingers and toes and every thing else firmly crossed all summer, or until he leave Hull, at least!
0

Tractorog added 10:02 - Jul 7 At first I wondered if the wrecked bit was not because of the training on the pitch, but in the bar - then I realised Cody's age.
0

brogansnose added 10:02 - Jul 7 It would us too Jimmy, but not on your wages especially with your jelly knees. Either milk Hull or get sensible.
0

Blue4life added 10:07 - Jul 7 JIMMY WE LOVE YOU!!! PLEASE SIGN!
0

oldbluestu added 10:07 - Jul 7 It's simply Jimmy just tell Hull you're not interested in money and can they cancel your contract and you don't want paying fot the remainder of it. I'm sure Hull will be happy and you can move to Ipswich Oops I forgot you're only interested in money and you want Hull to pay up the whole of the remainder of your contract.
0

BwoodBlue added 10:13 - Jul 7 Coooooooooooooooooome on. Jimmy Jimmy ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
0

Strider added 10:14 - Jul 7 Do whatever it takes to sign this guy up, he could be the difference this season
0

GTRKing added 10:15 - Jul 7 Jimmy common Sign we will pay off your contract & pay u £25.000 a week.
0

Royalblue added 10:18 - Jul 7 Exactly oldbluestu! I just can't understand how everyone can't see that! God knows he has quality and as that Hull poster told us - it's all about the money with Jimmy.
0

Suffolk_n_Proud added 10:19 - Jul 7 No thanks money grabber, don't care if you could get us promoted all by yourself
0

byebyesheepshanks added 10:26 - Jul 7 Go away Jimmy. We all saw you on Soccer AM & you didn't give a toss. Even bigged up the budgies. It's all about the money. We got Lee. jog on crock.
0

fourth added 10:28 - Jul 7 It's very much in Jimmy's court. His salary is not realistic for ITFC. A "low" basic with performance clauses perhaps. How would he fit with Lee Bowyer, I wonder?
0

Upbeat~ added 10:30 - Jul 7 Stop doing this to me Jimmy!
0

BlueBoots added 10:35 - Jul 7 I don't see how this deal is impossible...but I'm sure there are accountants out there who will tell me where I've gone wrong! Bullard's due £4.7m from Hull if he sits out his contract... We could probably afford to offer him a 2 year contract worth about £1.7m... The wage difference to Jimmy would be about £1.5m-£2m after tax So...we pay Hull £500k for Bullard, and Hull create a £1.5m tax-free pension fund for him. Hull save themselves £3.5m in wages, and gets to pay the rest over several years... Jimmy gets to play footie for club that he likes (and wants him) without missing out on any money due to him... Ipswich get Jimmy for £500k on a 2-year £15k pw contract Where's the problem? :^D

0

Blue_Fred added 10:39 - Jul 7 I think I'd rather explore Jason Koumas as a partne to Lee Bowyer tbh
0

Surco72 added 10:41 - Jul 7 There are so many idiots on this site ,Hull signed Jimmy on a ridiculous wage and owe him money to leave .If anyone was owed money they would not just walk away from it simple as . He could sign for us forget about the money and get injured for good pre season ,where would he be after that ? Everyone is looking at it through supporters eyes ,why doesnt Jimmy sign and play for nothing cause its Ipswich ? The man is a quality player and charachter who fit would aid our promotion push no end if a deal can be done it should be .

0

TractorCam added 10:44 - Jul 7 :D
0

jas0999 added 11:06 - Jul 7 Although I would love to see Jimmy back, I must confess that I am also sick of all this talk. It would seem that Jimmy will 'big up' whoever he is linked with - it was only 4 or so weeks ago that he was praising Norwich and then QPR, with no mention of us. Perhaps all his other options have fallen through and now he's back tosquare one? Ultimately, I wouldn't break the bank for Bullard- but he and Bowyer in the midfield would give us a chance. IF Jimmy can stay fit!

0

roytheboy added 11:15 - Jul 7 Jimmy's return would be the icing on the cake.
0

itfc77 added 11:29 - Jul 7 Would definately try and sign him up, with a deal that suits all parties. Look at the difference he made last season and a good goals/games ratio. Currently with the signings made and in the offing the 'dads army' tag will be mentioned, but this is a long term project that isn't going to be fixed over one close season. Bring in the experienced players, make solid progress towards the top end of the table, blooding youngsters along the way and then, IMO, attracting, younger, hungrier players that will strengthen the squad over the next transfer windows will become easier. In PJ we trust!

0

sherborneblue added 11:37 - Jul 7 actually people are forgetting the sheer wealth of our owner. Since buying town his wealth has more than doubled (£200m to £625m). Although running the club as a business venture as he clearly is, spending money on players like Bullard and Bowyer, although breaking new ground for Ipswich in their wages, is the best chance to get us back up, which in turn will line Evans' back pocket and justify his initial outlay to get the players into the club. This is just the nature of football nowadays and is just something we will have to get used to (if it is a real concern getting promoted).

0

sonian_blue added 11:39 - Jul 7 Lets move on from this for F sake. We dont want you Jimmy and you are only bringing this back up now we have some cash.
0

Marshalls_Mullet added 11:55 - Jul 7 £1 million pay off from Hull. £1 million golden handshake from itfc. £20K per week for 2 years.
0

robboo92 added 11:55 - Jul 7 I'm sure everyone here would happily give up over 4 million pounds to play somewhere just a little bit better.
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls