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Bialkowski Close to Millwall Move
Thursday, 20th Jun 2019 13:03

Town keeper Bartosz Bialkowski is closing in on a move to Millwall.

The South London Press is reporting that the Lions have only a few details left to be sorted on the deal, including a medical which is taking place today, and we understand a fee has been agreed between the clubs.

Yesterday, general manager of football operations Lee O’Neill confirmed that Town had received enquiries regarding the 31-year-old, but at that stage no firm bids with Millwall and Birmingham both having previously been linked.

However, the situation appears to have moved on quickly and the Polish international’s switch looks set to be confirmed in the next couple of days.

Following their relegation to League One, Town were willing to consider bids for Bialkowski, the highest-paid player at Portman Road after the bumper new deal he signed last year having returned from duty with Poland at the World Cup finals in Russia.

That new contract followed the Blues' refusal of a £3 million offer from Birmingham for the former Notts County and Southampton man, who, after a tough season for both club and player, is likely to have fetched significantly less this summer, with £1.5 million having been reported to be Town's valuation earlier in the close season.

Despite having said he is happy at Town - and that he plans to live in Suffolk once he retires - League One football was unlikely to improve Bialkowski’s international prospects and a move back to the Championship has always been on the cards.

Bialkowski made 177 starts and one sub appearance for the Blues having signed from Notts County in the summer of 2014 on a free transfer.

The 6ft 4in glovesman, who had a short spell on loan at Town in 2009 without making a senior appearance, won the club's Player of the Year gong in three successive seasons before relinquishing the award in 2018/19.

Millwall are very much in the market for keepers this summer with David Martin having joined West Ham, Ben Amos's loan from Bolton having ended and Jordan Archer having decided to move on with his contract up.

The Blues signed former Gillingham man Tomas Holy last month while youngster Adam Przybek was recruited after leaving West Brom following a trial but will look for another senior keeper once Bialkowski's exit is confirmed.

Among others, Town have spoken to QPR keeper Matt Ingram about his situation, while Bolton’s Remi Matthews is another potential new recruit, although with Championship sides Charlton and Hull City also reportedly interested in the former Norwich man.


Photo: TWTD



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nathitfc89 added 13:05 - Jun 20
little bit surprised but good luck to him.
5

WarkTheWarkITFC added 13:18 - Jun 20
Perfect move for him really.

His family won't need to relocate.

He will be at a club that will allow him to showcase his talents and make a real difference to their fortunes.

He will earn the wages he is capable of earning.

He will still have a chance of getting in or around the Poland squad.

Plus it'll be good for some of the Millwall fans to be educated that some Polish people are actually extremely nice.
12

StringerBell added 13:19 - Jun 20
I know it's pretty nailed on that he's going to leave but have to feel sorry for him if he ends up at a dump like Millwall. He's better than that surely.
Good luck big Pole in the goal, wherever you end up. Without you we'd have been sunk far sooner.
13

BlueArrow added 13:21 - Jun 20
I expected him to leave but Millwall
13

Bergholtblue added 13:22 - Jun 20
We have valued him at £1.5m but is there any news on the actual figure? Or is it going to be "for an undisclosed fee"?
0

Northstander_Blue added 13:25 - Jun 20
Millwall F*##ing Millwall
0

THAILAND_BLUE added 13:33 - Jun 20
Why couldn't we have just loaned him out?
0

hadleighboyblue added 13:34 - Jun 20
I just hope we are not letting him go on the cheap , I can't see Millwall coughing up £1.5m .

2

iaintaylorx added 13:38 - Jun 20
This doesn't sit well with me. I love Bart and alot of people are judging him off last season (short memories). He would be the best keeper in the league and would he the difference between Top 2 and the dreaded playoffs. He would 100% take a pay cut considering he loves being in Ipswich and his family are settled. I wish though, if he had to leave, he was going to a team chasing promotion. Gutted to see him leave but all the best big man!
4

MrTown added 13:47 - Jun 20
We need the fee. Good move for all parties.

Having his medical this afternoon.
0

alfromcol added 13:53 - Jun 20
Could come back next year, when we change places with Millwall??? Easy travelling distance from Ipswich must be the reason, can't think of any other reason to go to such a dump.
0

Barty added 13:53 - Jun 20
Admittedly not his best last season but overall has been superb for us. Really sorry to see him go and I wish him all the best [ but Millwall - he could do so much better than that ]
6

BlueBlood90 added 14:06 - Jun 20
Can't blame him for going but thought he could do far better than Millwall. Wouldn't be at all surprised if they're in League One next season themselves. Good luck to him though. Without his outstanding performances over the years I think we would've found ourselves in League One far sooner than we did.
1

ArnieM added 14:21 - Jun 20
Really couldn't give a flying one . Cheerio Bart . Thanks for your services . We move on , and in Holy we have an excellent replacement 👍
2

Bert added 14:26 - Jun 20
A shame but it does demonstrate that he may not be as good as we thought. I hope it goes well for him but Millwall is a strange decision football wise.
0

ArnieM added 14:33 - Jun 20
Only two Club ever put in an offer for him - none are exactly “ top drawer”. I'd say that says all we need to know .

Good luck Bart . Thank you for your services , but it's now Holy that is the #1 and I think he will be more than adequate ( if not a better) replacement than the departing Pole.
0

raycrawfordswig added 14:47 - Jun 20
Any keeper would have struggled with our defence last season, Good luck to him.
4

blues1 added 14:49 - Jun 20
To all those who are saying he could do better than Millwall? Please tell me how? They are the only club who have made a bid for him, which suggests hes not exactly in demand. To those saying millwall's a dump. Yes, the area is, but he wont be living there will he. And while of course, many of their fans are bad as everyone knows, the club itself is ok and it's a decent ground. I believe any amount in the region of £1.5 m would be an excellent price, after the season hes just had. As good as he was for us the previous 3 seasons, it has to be said that, that was purely due to the brilliant saves he made. The rest of his game is far from good. He cannot organise the defence in front of him, he doesnt command his area, and his distribution is poor. And that's why, along with having a poor season, his value has dropped. What must also be taken into account is that we will lose a big wage off the bill so the deal is actually worth more than just the transfer fee
5

Lightningboy added 14:53 - Jun 20
Time to get behind the Holy 1.
2

WeWereZombies added 15:03 - Jun 20
I reckon Millwall are one of his best chances of first team football in the coming season rather than ending up as a Richard Wright tribute bench warmer...
0

jdtractor96 added 15:05 - Jun 20
Very much doubt Millwall will pay the reported £1.5M but I could be wrong!
0

Northstandveteran added 15:07 - Jun 20
Couldn't we sell him and loan him back?

We love a loan.

And they'd be paying his wages 😂
1

MickMillsTash added 15:14 - Jun 20
Suspect that any money we get will go to pay up Barts contract.
Millwall fans will not accept the sort of performances he served up last year
0

NorthLondonBlue2 added 15:22 - Jun 20
These are sobering times. Looking at the new season's fixtures and realising that we actually 'belong' to that group of teams.

And Millwall being a step up from Town?!

Time to swallow our pride, back the team to the hilt and get the f**k out of League 1 as soon as possible!
3

wkj added 15:22 - Jun 20
Shame that the lad never came back from the world Cup. Before last season he was one of the brightest parts of modern ITFC
1


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