TWTD understands Premier League Crystal Palace are continuing to pursue their interest in Town's Bartosz Bialkowski, who is their top target as they look to add another keeper to their squad during January.

The Eagles were first mentioned in connection with the 30-year-old just under a fortnight ago with a number of other keepers also having been linked but with Bialkowski, who is contracted until the end of the season with the Blues having an option to keep him for a further year, heading their list of potential recruits.

Town are believed to want at least £4 million for the former Poland U20 international and we understand the Eagles are prepared to meet the asking price with discussions between the clubs currently ongoing.

It’s likely that as with previous deals the Blues would want further top-up payments after appearance milestones are met and a sell-on clause.

Town are unlikely to allow Bialkowski, the club’s Player of the Year for the last two seasons, to move on until they have another keeper lined up with Dean Gerken, 32, currently sidelined with a hip injury.

Third-choice Michael Crowe, 22, may well be handed his Blues debut when Town face Sheffield United in the third round of the FA Cup at Portman Road on Saturday.

Manager Mick McCarthy was already on the lookout for another keeper prior to Palace firming up their interest in Bialkowski as cover for Gerken.

Bialkowski joined the Blues from Notts County on a free transfer in the summer of 2014 - but with the deal including a sell-on clause entitling the Magpies to a percentage of any future fee - having previously worked with Town keeper-coach Malcolm Webster at his first English club Southampton.

Photo: TWTD

OwainG1992 added 16:43 - Jan 4 I'm really not enjoying this transfer window so far!
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braveblue added 16:46 - Jan 4 Maybe we will reinvest £250k. Or Milne will be sent out to say it's gone on loan wages. If we sell Bart, Didz and Moore how stupid (er) will Milne look after his quotes pre Xmas.
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therein61 added 16:47 - Jan 4 For heavens sake let's try to keep decent players but will somebody please take our premiership class number 8
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Blue_Again added 16:48 - Jan 4 Willy go?
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slowerball added 16:48 - Jan 4 Yes, I don't think we can stand in Bart's way and if Palace offer a deal that in the end is worth £5m to £7m... We simply cannot turn that down. The lad at 30 has a chance to play in the Premier League and let's face it, it is unlikely he will get the chance with us.
23

warktheline added 16:51 - Jan 4 All about who that departs! Nowt about a forward thinking pro-active plan in the transfer window! Sums up Evans, swn's and co 'messiah'......next they'll be telling us McCarthy is Moses!
4

blueherts added 16:56 - Jan 4 Cannot blame him - Anyone who is offered more money to do the same job - especially at his stage of career would take it . Been great for us and he kept us up last season Great job Bart and good luck to ya !! Now , I wonder where all that money will be invested - maybe in a new manager , keeper , 2 midfielders and a back 4
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Cakeman added 16:57 - Jan 4 Nothing to fear, I am sure that if Bart goes the powers that be will be trying to purchase a replacement keeper of the standing of Chelsea' Courtois. Although trying to get one for £4.50 a week plus lunch allowance may prove difficult!
5

MrJase77 added 17:01 - Jan 4 If we sell one of our best players for a pitiful 4m, that's it I'm out of this regime. I'm done.
2

Nazemariner added 17:01 - Jan 4 Good luck to him i say. Who wouldn't want out of Portman Road given the current climate.
15

BlueHarwich added 17:03 - Jan 4 That's the problem with this club as a whole. The "we can't stand in his way" Bu**S***is how we differ to the majority off clubs with ambition! I'd be telling both Palace and Bart he's going no where unless a ridiculous amount of money is offered. 4 million for our player of the season for the last 2 years is a joke! the 7 points off playoffs and 12 off relegation will soon swap round if we sell what most believe is our best player!

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Bert added 17:03 - Jan 4 Sadly, it is unlikely that the club will stand in Bart's way if he wants to go to Palace. Couldn't be a worse time for supporters and club. Logically, his family could remain in Suffolk so cannot see that being a deal breaker. The issue for Bart is that Palace may well face the drop but his earnings would have increased many fold. That's the club's problem, unless the owner expands his wallet we will always be at risk of losing decent players. The hiatus of MM's position is not helping either as there is a bond between players and MM which they know may be broken. That bond is regretably a two edged sword as it can and probably does make certain players too comfortable. MM does not walk on water but he is certainly treading it and may well soon be out of his depth. Sad days but I have blue blood so will go on Saturday.

5

blue75 added 17:04 - Jan 4 Why don't they stop pursuing and actually put a bid in all this messing about is stupid. Come on palace let's see the colour of yer money if not do one and stop trying to unsettle our team!!!
4

Karlosfandangal added 17:05 - Jan 4 players on the way out of the club Understand Moore being sold as we have just signed Darnin from Waterford. And by selling BART and McGoldrick I would expect to see the money put straight back in on a class keeper and forward If any is left over it would be nice to see that put towards Celina. However Mr Evans would still need to put his hand in his pocket to secure Celina. It's nice to dream, but not replacing BART and McGoldrick would be a nightmare

4

TimmyH added 17:05 - Jan 4 If we did get somewhere around £5M+ for him we all know Evans won't reinvest it...so in my mind he has to stay. I wouldn't want MM getting his own further targets in as hopefully he won't be here in June.
3

12th_Man added 17:24 - Jan 4 He's going mick won't care his contract is up in a few months then he'll walk away laughing his arse off
2

RaymondovicBlue added 17:24 - Jan 4 Murphy went to Newcastle for good money for his age - because MURPHY wanted to go. We did NOT sell Didz to Leicester despite very good bid - but yet noone ever said it was because he wanted to stay! Did he? The club have been massively loyal to him through injury after injury. Sorry this was about Bart - I believe he DESERVES the chance if he wants to go! And if we get good money for him it must be re-invested.... but not necessarily in a keeper - more important for a "John Wark" or a "Paul Mariner" (a Jim Magilton would be good too - sacking him was the start of all our recent problems with managers and after we'd beaten Norwich too - still one of the most disappointing decisions the new regime ever made !)

9

jas0999 added 17:24 - Jan 4 Unlikely to let him move until a replacement is found? Firstly, Murphy ... didn't apply then and doubt Evans would care if there is a deal to be done. Second, no point bringing in yet another loan. A permanent player moving on requires a permanent replacement.
3

Mullet added 17:28 - Jan 4 Murphy was at the end of the window. We had about a week to three days of trying to sign Washington.
3

blues1 added 17:35 - Jan 4 Raymondovic. Magilton was sacked due to off the field reasons. Jas0999, while i would agree that normally permanent signings would be preferable, with the fact McCarthy seems likely to go in the summer i think we should only be looking at loans this month, other than a keeper. And imo, £4m plus add ons taking the deal to £5m + would be a good deal for Bart.
0

Jimmy86 added 17:38 - Jan 4 We should be looking for more than 4 million for Bart. Yes he's in the last year of his contract, but we have the option of the extra year. 4 million is way too cheap, when Wolves were quoted 5 million in the summer. Trigger his year extra and then 7-8 million
4

blues1 added 17:49 - Jan 4 Jimmy86. So how do u work that out. U point to the fact that wolves were quoted £5m in the summer but 5 months later u think hes worth £2-3 m more than that?
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Mark added 18:01 - Jan 4 Well, Gerken is injured so we would then have to ask a manager who is probably leaving in the summer to sign two goalkeepers in January (when it is difficult to get players) for probably a peanuts budget. How depressing. It feels like the club is just drifting with no direction at all.
4

therein61 added 18:05 - Jan 4 Mid table stability in div1 next year if Mick continues to stay and wreck our once proud club
2

lightingblue added 18:23 - Jan 4 Can people stop saying about re-investigating the sale of any players into buying new ones. We simply cannot afford to spend any money. We are best part 90 million in the red. Assists need selling. Evans, Milne and McCarthy have always said that every player has a price. Perhaps 4 million is the correct price for Bart. Not a bad profit for a free transfer
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