TWTD understands that Town have turned down a bid from Premier League Brighton and Hove Albion for midfielder Armando Dobra.

The Seagulls made their approach for the 18-year-old Albanian U19 international close to the end of the January window but with the figure on offer well below Town's valuation it was flatly rebuffed. We understand the offer was in the low hundred thousands plus add-ons later on down the line.

Academy product Dobra made a goalscoring first-team debut in the Carabao Cup defeat at Luton in August before making another eye-catching display in the Leasing.com Trophy tie against Tottenham’s U21s in which he created both Blues goals for Jordan Roberts.

Latterly, Dobra’s opportunities have been more limited and with the Blues out of the cup competitions it seemed likely the Barking-based youngster might move out on loan.

“If somebody came in for Dobs, then you’d have to look at it,” Lambert said when asked about youngster going out on loan this morning.

“He’s in the same kind of bracket as Idris [El Mizouni, who joined Cambridge on loan last week] with what I think of the two of them.

“Whether something happens later on today I don’t know, but he’s definitely a good little player, Dobra.”

However, with the January window closing in a matter of hours it appears Dobra will remain at Portman Road until the end of the season, unless Town opt to send him to a National League club with moves to the fifth tier still permitted after today’s deadline.

Dobra is contracted to the Blues until the end of this season with the club having an option for a further season. We understand talks regarding a new deal are ongoing.

Overall, Dobra, who qualifies to play international football for England and Kosovo as well as Albania, has made four starts and two sub appearances for the Blues.

In addition to Brighton's interest in Dobra, January has seen significant speculation regarding the futures of central defender Luke Woolfenden and midfielder Flynn Downes but Town are set to end the window with all three still at the club.

Photo: TWTD

DifferentGravy added 22:06 - Jan 31 Ive been critical of Lambert on a number of occasions due to squad rotation, fielding players who simply arent good enough(i.e Nsiala)or out of form, his attitude to constructive criticism and tactical awareness(or lack of). However, in this instance i wonder if he has tried to fly below the radar with Dobra. Seen him play, looks tidy and most fans think hes a good player.

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alfromcol added 00:23 - Feb 1 I also am a fan of Dobra and he has moments of sheer brilliance. However, it takes more than that to get a place in the first team. Dozell is similar, a player who produces moments of magic. But you have to have more in a game of football. Teams that rely on players who have moments of magic, mean that the team are playing as if they have had a man sent off for the rest of the game. However, in the case of Dobra, I believe he has shown enough to get a subs role in games.

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BlueandTruesince82 added 00:25 - Feb 1 Dobra is a talent no doubt, should he be ahead of Downes, Judge, Huws? No. Not yet.
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Bert added 00:46 - Feb 1 Brighton newspaper reporting that an offer with add ons of £500,000 was rejected by Town.
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bobble added 02:27 - Feb 1 just loan him out to brighton for 6 months, if he can handle playing for such a small club as brighton..
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harlingblue added 05:23 - Feb 1 Dobra has special talent, a modern day 'Gates'? Well done Town for turning down this approach. We have so much young attacking talent bubbling under, or coming back from long term injuries, Morris, Folami, Lankester, plus the lads out on loan. I don't think that PL is the Manager to take these lads forward, he is so locked in his own past. Such a shame that we missed out on the Cowleys, they would have been the perfect fit for our current situation?

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pennblue added 07:24 - Feb 1 We need to start playing this lad. We can all see how talented he is.
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Northstandveteran added 09:56 - Feb 1 Got to feel for Dobra. Thought he was off to the premier league with Brighton. Could end the season in the national league with Dover. Thought he'd won Euro millions, ends up with a quid on a scratch card.
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Saxonblue74 added 12:24 - Feb 1 When are people going to realise that we've had a very good January transfer window? It's far more important to hang on to the talent that we have than to sign some has been journeyman on loan for a quick fix. Yes, we all want promotion this season, but that's not the future of our club. Keep the youth, nurture them and see what we get. Dobra, Il Mizouni, Lankester, Morris, Smith, Woolfenden, Downes.........not bad hey?!

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BecclesBlue500 added 10:18 - Feb 6 hmmm.... He's that good he's only managed to get into one of the worst Ipswich sides I've ever seen once in the league....If he's that good why has he only played 1 league game?? And before people remind me of his age etc - just remember that for 2 or 3 years we've heard that Andre Dozzell is the best thing since sliced bread and he's nearly 21 and has played 6 times in the league..... Mind you; talk of how great we 'could' be or what talent we 'might' be developing (for use or £profit) keeps us all from dissenting I suppose....dreaming of tomorrow is what we do these days (perhaps the Website should change its name to 'Those Will Be The Days Again Someday'..

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