Blues youngster Liam Gibbs is leaving the club after last-gasp talks failed to lead to an agreement regarding a new contract.

TWTD revealed in January that the 18-year-old was yet to sign the new terms which had been offered by the Blues with his current contract up this summer and no one-year option included in his previous deal.

While the midfielder, who made his League One debut in the home game against Charlton last season, was keen to stay at Portman Road, the Bury St Edmunds-based schemer was unwilling to commit to the deal as it stood, although we understand the two parties weren’t too far apart.

As the end of his contract drew closer, the club made no new overtures as other interested clubs monitored the situation, however, according to Suffolk News there were last-ditch talks yesterday - the final day of his existing deal - but those discussions broke down and as of today Gibbs is no longer a Town player.

Given his age, the Blues will receive compensation for his years in the academy, but that figure is likely in the low hundred thousands. Town will have to agree a sum with his new club or the matter will go to a tribunal.

Norwich City, Leeds United, Brighton and Rangers are all believed to have run the rule over Gibbs, who was one of the stars of the Blues’ U18s’ FA Youth Cup run, while Southampton were keen early last season.

Aston Villa, where former Blues head of academy recruitment Steve McGavin now works, have also been linked, but reports that Manchester United are keen are understood to be wide of the mark.

In addition to his one League One appearance for the Blues, Gibbs also made two EFL Trophy starts and one sub appearance.

Photo: Matchday Images

brassy added 16:37 - Jul 1 probably been tapped by a big club you cant blame him a footballers career is short goodluck to the lad we move on COYBs.
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braveblue added 16:43 - Jul 1 Another silly boy. Never to be heard off again.
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markchips added 16:51 - Jul 1 That's the shortfall made up for Crooks then.
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istanblue added 16:55 - Jul 1 Poor from the club. Unless he flat-out refused to sign a new contract here (which doesn't seem the case), then the Ashton and co. should be pushing the boat out to retain these kind of players.
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JewellintheTown added 17:06 - Jul 1 Am I missing something or is this kids contract just expired but there's nothing stopping him mulling it over or ITFC upping the offer for that matter overnight & signing like any other player? Probably both will be too stubborn so probably won't happen but not over yet. Could change.
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blueboy1981 added 17:09 - Jul 1 Has had his head turned- another who thinks he's arrived before he gets there - not the first, won't be the last. Time will tell where he goes with his career, or is this the last we hear, or see of him ... ??? Not much of a Premiership or Championship queue of Clubs looking to grab our other ‘young stars' that were so called last season .... and since made available ... !!! Overrated, or What ???

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happybeingblue added 17:31 - Jul 1 so he wanted to stay but probably wanted more £ in reality, thats the bit i dont get really really wanted to stay but......agents i guess fair enough move on.
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happybeingblue added 17:34 - Jul 1 thing is if he goes on to prove himself in the first team and that is surely his aim then the £ and improved contract comes then makes yopu wonder who advises these boys some times
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Cadiar added 17:47 - Jul 1 A lot of people seem to know allabout this kid chasing big bucks etc. Wonder how they got this info as it's all supposition. He's 18, we don't know his personal circumstances, we don't know the details of the deal, in fact we know diddly squit. Good luck to him where ever he ends up & for what ever reasons.
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anditractor added 18:17 - Jul 1 Messi is now a free agent !!
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Oldboy added 19:07 - Jul 1 DavefromWatford. Many have been"linked", yet nothing certain. I suspect that he will go to another L1 or L2 club and never heard of again. Should have taken what was on offer here . That would have been his best chance.
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brendenward35 added 19:38 - Jul 1 What's the point of having an academy if it's only to supply other clubs and make very little money when the player goes elsewhere. I'm sure ME highlighted this not so long ago. I'd hate to guess how much the club has spent on Gibbs with very little return.
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Monkey_Blue added 20:16 - Jul 1 It's ok, we are signing an entire new squad and every player at the club was useless and needs to go away.
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Monkey_Blue added 20:26 - Jul 1 By all accounts he wanted to stay….. what the hell did we refuse to offer him?
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tearsofthetown added 21:05 - Jul 1 Good luck to him, he may need it. Let`s hope he doesn`t sign for that lot up the road. If he were to, and made the grade, he won`t like it when Town beat them next time we play! In answer to Monkey Blue, we refused offer him what he wanted. To make a deal both parties have to be happy. There are no certainties in life, and especially so in any professional sport sport. All it can take is one injury, and that be the end of their career. That is the risk a player and club have to take. What happened to 1 mill youngster we sold to Man City?

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Pencilpete added 21:31 - Jul 1 While I'm disappointed to read this news, a guy with 3 Appearances in our first team for a few hundred grand isnt the worst deal in the world .... we will never know if he would have made it here or not .... most of the 'talent' who have made it to be regulars in our first team are being sold for that figure anyway. The fact he couldn't get in the worst team weve had for 70 years doesn't bode well for him

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shakytown added 05:37 - Jul 2 Amazing how many people just do not understand the financial restrictions we operate under per the rules of the league. We only have a certain amount we are allowed to spend and if he wants more then he obviously has to go elsewhere. Good luck and goodbye and i hope you dont have a short term gain and a long term loss.
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FAcup78 added 08:02 - Jul 2 Good luck Liam hope it works out for you. Wow!! Some of the comments on here. None of you know the situation at all. You are all speculating this and that. The fact is, Liam had his reasons for not signing and the club had their reasons for not offering more and thats it. Again good luck lad.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 09:53 - Jul 2 The sooner we get a Cat 1 Academy the better. I'm worried about the future of our trademark Academy as it stands.
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Skip73 added 11:41 - Jul 2 He'll probably end up in League 2 like so many other of our talented squad from last season.
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Ipswichbusiness added 12:33 - Jul 2 His contract has expired so he is no longer an Ipswich player, but he could still sign a new contract with us if both parties wanted it enough. I don't believe that he is caught by the salary cap due to his age, but, of course, the Club will have a budget for player wages. It is sad to see apparently promising young players leave for big clubs, never to be seen again.

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Monkey_Blue added 12:58 - Jul 2 Shakytown…. Yes it is amazing how many people don't understand the salary cap. Especially those that don't understand given his age we could pay him £100,000 a week and it wouldn't count to it.
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grow_our_own added 18:04 - Jul 2 Damning indictment on the shambles we have become that we can't even hold onto decent 18 year olds. We used to be able to hold onto our stars into their early 20s. Hopeless. Destined to become just another run-of-the-mill English football club. We've lost our x factor. Grow our own!
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Monkey_Blue added 15:58 - Jul 3 grow_our_own but we have an entirely nee set up so whatever the reasons it's the new regime responsible.
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