Town are reported to have made a final move for former loanee Luke Garbutt, who is also being targeted by Sunderland.

According to the Northern Echo, the Blues made the approach to Garbutt’s representatives over the weekend, the Black Cats having made a formal offer to the left-back, a free agent following his release by Everton, earlier in the week.

The Wearsiders are said to be confident their deal will appeal to the former England U21 international, but Town are also claimed to be hopeful. It’s said that Garbutt, who spent a successful spell on loan at Portman Road during 2019/20, will make his decision before next weekend.

The Blues and Black Cats have also been linked with Danny Graham and it’s reported both clubs have spoken to the 34-year-old striker, who is a free agent having left Blackburn Rovers. Town are reported to be ready to match whatever is on offer at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland are said to be hopeful that Gateshead-born Graham, who was previously a Black Cat between 2013 and 2016, will be interested in a return to the North-East. Again, the much-travelled frontman is believed to be weighing-up his options in the days to come.

Both Garbutt and Graham are likely to have to accept very significant drops from their previous wages with the Blues and Wearsiders appearing to have little room for manoeuvre when it comes to adding to their squads given the salary cap which was introduced on Friday and with Town revealing yesterday that the contracts of players already on the books are being treated as if they are earning £113,000 per annum.

Photo: TWTD

Suffolkboy added 13:12 - Aug 9 Would be good to get him in; honest, talented ,a good left foot and generally stays fit ; a very useful team contributor ! COYB
11

martin587 added 13:38 - Aug 9 Being a Northern lad I would expect him to remain up north and I doubt wages will be a telling factor in this case just location.We can only hope he comes to PR.Time will tell.
6

Essexnblue added 13:38 - Aug 9 With the salary cap,signing these players will now be down the players perspective of where the better club prospects are and better areas to live etc........ As the wages will become virtually the same from club to club.
5

Bluearmy_81 added 13:57 - Aug 9 A final offer which has no chance. The king of spin
-7

ronnyd added 14:03 - Aug 9 I fear that our geographical location could put us at a disadvantage in signing both Garbutt and Graham.
3

BlueNomad added 14:08 - Aug 9 Both will have made a fortune so quality of life will become a bigger factor. The North East is beautiful.
0

peteswindon added 14:18 - Aug 9 That will be two pints of larger and a packet of crisps.
2

runningout added 14:55 - Aug 9 Not fussed either way. There are very good left backs about. Just not sure our scouts have been on the ball for a few years. Clumsy Myles Kenlock hasn't been on his game for too long, which is a concern. He's not the only one.
4

Dissboyitfc added 15:31 - Aug 9 If this report is true, i dont think we will get him,sadly it will be down to location !
2

Michael101 added 15:51 - Aug 9 Sunderland offered £ 7.5 thousand a week. We offer 2 mars bars and a packet of crisps per week.wonder who he will pick??.
0

paulcooperisgod added 15:53 - Aug 9 No thanks. If he wanted to come here he would have by now
2

shouldistayorcounago added 16:00 - Aug 9 I don't think location is as big a factor as some might believe. Ipswich is just over an hours drive longer than Sunderland, and around 45 minutes train ride longer. At the start of the season Garbutt said he was looking to put down roots somewhere. If that's true, I'd pick the place I'd already had a semi-reasonable experience of rather than somewhere that was a bit closer to my hometown on the other side of the country. Ultimately I'd hope it would be where he thinks he has the best chance to cement a first team place, and where he is more likely to have success. Not sure where that leaves us but still...

1

RegencyBlue added 16:51 - Aug 9 If wages offered are broadly similar, which given Evans propensity for penny pinching I seriously doubt, then he will, amongst other things, be looking for a club with ambition. Next!
2

Len_Brennan added 17:03 - Aug 9 I'd like us to sign him & am surprised at the level of negativity towards him. He is a good left back, a decent left wing back & an excellent left winger, certainly at League 1 standard. All 3 areas are important to us. His goals, crosses & assists are a huge bonus to have. If he were to sign, and it is a big IF, we would also have a very saleable asset on our books should he match or better last season's performances & hopefully without any injury interrupting his form. We need a rock solid centre half to partner Woolfenden & if Flynn Downes stays as a holding midfielder, we should have enough defensive cover, at this level, to allow us play exciting, attacking full backs; Huws & Skuse can help out by slotting in if/when they are playing too. The quality of KVY's runs on one side & Garbutt's deliveries on the other should be a massive weapon to occupy any side we meet in this league ... if the manager allows them to play a positive, forward focused game.

7

Cloddyseedbed added 17:10 - Aug 9 Have we got any scouts at the club at all? If so what do they do?Do we have any in Europe or further afield? Other clubs find hidden talent, why is KVY the only one we've managed to find in a long time? Motivation seems to be missing at ITFC from the top down.
5

ArnieM added 17:36 - Aug 9 I doubt he'll come here. Looks like it's between us an Sunderland for decent players . # GroundhogDay
0

Linkboy13 added 18:01 - Aug 9 Yes i agree cloddyseedbed it's something that never gets mentioned but our scouting network needs to be looked at. Teams like Peterborough are constantly picking up good players especially strikers. As for Garbutt he's ok but not outstanding and would struggle in the championship.
2

WhoisJimmyJuan added 18:28 - Aug 9 Cloddyseedbed: Spot on! Whenever we have Dutch players we do well, Pim Balkestein aside. Players like Romeo Zondervan used to scout for us in Holland. We have the contacts in several parts of the world in terms of former players. If we showed dome imagination we might unearth a few more gems.
2

Radlett_blue added 19:00 - Aug 9 "34 year old striker"? No thanks.
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KiwiBlue2 added 06:08 - Aug 10 If we by some chance managed to get both of them we would have a half decent side at L1 level. I think that we will get one of them but not holding my breath. I still think that a dominating left side cb is the top priority.
1

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