Blues keeper and three-time Player of the Year Bartosz Bialkowski has revealed talks are continuing regarding his new contract, which he says there was "not really a need" to announce had been agreed back in January.

Former manager Mick McCarthy revealed that a deal running to the summer of 2020 plus an option for a further season had been agreed close to the end of the transfer window but Bialkowski, who had been interesting Premier League Crystal Palace, is still to put pen to paper.

”My agent is still talking to the owner so we need to wait and see,” the 30-year-old Polish international told Oscar Paul of The Sun. “It was announced because I said I wanted to stay.

"There were still a few things to sort out and I thought it would just be a matter of time, and hopefully it will be and we are going to come to an agreement. But obviously there was not really a need for it to be announced.

"If my agent comes to an agreement with the owner he is going to give me a call and then we can sort it out. I am very happy here, my family is happy, and that is the main thing. But at the same time, I want to play at the highest level possible.

"I wasn’t annoyed at the announcement, at the time I thought it was just going to be a matter of time to extend it a little bit.”

Bialkowski’s current contract is up at the end of the season but with the Blues certain to take up an option to keep him for a further year even if the new deal remains unsigned.

However, Palace may well come calling again in the summer and other clubs are also likely to show interest.

Bialkowski also revealed he was inadvertently tipped off that manager McCarthy and assistant Terry Connor would be leaving after the Barnsley game when the latter accidentally let it slip.

"Before the game TC said to m, 'Come on Bart, one more, last one'. Then he said, 'No! Three more, three more!

"Obviously they had hd already made the decision. I understamd the fans' frustrations and I respect and love them, but it wasn't nice to hear the chants aimed at Mick.

"I had never experienced anything like the home game against Hull. After 10 minutes the atmosphere was toxic."

Photo: TWTD

jabberjackson added 11:05 - Apr 27 There is still a chance he may stay then...
3

CaptainObvious added 11:08 - Apr 27 awkward backtracking there. he doesn't want to admit that the manager leaving has changed his situation, and risk getting the supporter wrath that knudsen received.
3

MooseJuice added 11:09 - Apr 27 Pleeeeeeease stay Bart!!! I'll give you my last Rolo.
9

WestSussexBlue added 11:16 - Apr 27 This will be the summer's most important signing. Class keeper who would definitely do a job in the Premier. Stick with us Bart.
5

Len_Brennan added 11:45 - Apr 27 Taking these comments at face value, it must surely be a release clause that is the sticking point for Bart & his agent.
7

Lars added 11:47 - Apr 27 A great keeper. It says good things about him (and other players) that he was loyal to MM and TC. Lot of wining. But I enjoyed the interview with Evans. He made it stand out that MM has built a lot of good things (a great academy and scouting for instance) from which the club will profit in many years to come.
9

BeattiesBackPocket added 11:51 - Apr 27 This guy has pretty much single handedly kept us up the past couple of seasons making some vital world class saves in most games he is a must for me for the new manager to build a decent backbone to the team. Probably the best keeper outside the top flight and since Wrighty in my opinion and not easily replaceable.
13

Bad_Boy_Mark added 11:53 - Apr 27 Bart is the best keeper we've had in some time, an ITFC legend, and is loved by the fans (especially BBM Jr). He will sign the contract and oversee our playoff push in 2019/2020. It is essential that we keep our best players and build our team around them. Bart absolutely falls into that category. COYB!
11

Currie10 added 12:27 - Apr 27 No chance he'll be with us in 19/20. I agree, seems a transfer clause is the most likely or more bonuses / £££ etc or not much else to sort out. I don't see him being past here more than this season, max. He's outgrown us I would say and deserves a shot in the prem.
3

Edmundo added 12:42 - Apr 27 We keep him and spend wisely on central defence/striker then we go into the playoffs. We lose him and it's mid table at best even with additions.
4

Foreverdon_Blue added 13:53 - Apr 27 Apart from the new manager coming in, this is the most important piece of business Marcus Evans has during the next few weeks. Bart has to stay or failing that a new goalkeeper has to be a priority for the new manager - Gerken, for me, is nowhere near the class of Bart.
3

BlueBlood90 added 14:11 - Apr 27 All of these players are getting on my nerves about how bad we are as fans. The atmosphere against Hull was toxic because we were 3-0 down at home to a side in the bottom 3!!! We'd put up with years of crap football before it got to that stage. And why is he even bringing it back up? I don't begrudge him if he wants to go but he needs to either get the contract sorted or say he wants to go now.

10

ArnieM added 14:39 - Apr 27 Sorting out a get out clause by the sound of it.
1

blueboy1981 added 15:46 - Apr 27 Agents, Agents, Agents, creaming money from the punters indirectly all the time. Time to make YOUR mind up Bart - or move on, and let someone else have the opportunity you have had her to impress.
1

blueboy1981 added 15:47 - Apr 27 ........ 'had here' - more like it.
0

tractorboybig added 15:47 - Apr 27 if he don't want to stay...bye bye. ( no one is unreplaceable)
2

Cheshire_Blue added 16:52 - Apr 27 I cannot believe anyone would want to play for, let alone manage, at a club where a small section of supporters have shown such total disrespect towards the manager.
1

foot_kick_ball_goal added 17:37 - Apr 27 Can't believe that there are some people on here criticising him for his opinions and suggesting he should move on... This is the player who had been our player of the year for three seasons running. A vital part of the team. If you think a keeper of his quality would be easily replaced (especially with our budget); you are kidding yourself.
6

algarvefan added 17:52 - Apr 27 Whoever you toxic fans are, please feel free to clear off and support someone else, the one thing I have found in over 50 years as a Town fan was that the atmosphere at games and the humour was excellent. I moved abroad a few years ago and it was creeping into games then including some violence, I for one don't want your type at games and neither do the majority of fans or the players too. Get behind the Town now or take your behaviour elsewhere!! If there is one player who has excelled in recent years it is Bart, I hope we can keep him.

8

DurhamTownFan added 18:47 - Apr 27 Agreed with blue blood: what do they expect us to do, clap the off and say ‘well done'? Our football and a great many of our results were woeful between January and when mick eventually left. If the players can't see that then there's one very good reason why it was right for MM to go when he did.
2

WashbrookBlue added 19:15 - Apr 27 Algarve fan...lucky you at moving abroad and not having to endure the most crap dire turgid football and the lowest league position and the lowest crowds in a generation but please spare us the lecture as you sip your Iberian cocktails of just who should and shouldn't pay money to endure this crap and what they should or shouldn't do. . Alternatively, come home , pay big money to watch and make your own more informed Judgement....

-2

Blue_badge added 20:16 - Apr 27 I don't think Bart will sign as he has a chance to secure his financial future. If he doesn't sign the club will have to cash in this summer - probably to a lower Premiership club like Palace - else there'll only be our option year before he can walk away as a free agent. Either way, he ends his career on a financial high.
0

thundercat600 added 20:22 - Apr 27 Just think about this Bart, if you have one or two games in a row that were bad it would not be long before our fantastic supporters will be on your back big time. Just looking at how the "fans" treated MM and TC plus the Arsenal manager Wenger, they now think that if they kick up a big enough stink they will get their way, and as has been proven they do
0

RoyalAscotBlue added 23:35 - Apr 27 When on earth are “people” (the minority) going to stop bleeting on about our previous manager? The majority of fans, and the owner of the club, were all in agreement that he had run his course and it was time for a change. Get over it! Look to the future. Think positively.
5

runningout added 10:24 - Apr 28 obvious Bart and many more want to play in the prem and it won't be for us. Think he won't start next season here. New manager may change some minds, but no player we have at the mo is irreplaceable £££
1

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