Norwich City are the favourites to sign departing Blues youngster Liam Gibbs, however, the deal is not yet done and at least one other club is still in the running for the 18-year-old’s signature.

As reported last week, last-gasp talks between Town and Gibbs broke down on June 30th, the final day of his existing Blues deal, the club having offered a new contract late last year.

Norwich had been among the clubs keeping an eye on the Bury St Edmund-based youngster’s situation and we understand are the frontrunners to sign him but with discussions continuing and other clubs still keen.

Previously, Leeds, Brighton, Rangers and Southampton were among those to show interest, while another unnamed club has more recently come into the running.

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, he 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 before last week’s deadline-day talks.

Given his age, the Blues will receive compensation for his years in the academy.

Town will have to agree a sum with his new club - they will be looking for a sum in the high hundred thousands - or the matter will go to a tribunal.

In addition to his one League One appearance for the Blues, Gibbs, who was one of the stars of Town’s U18s’ FA Youth Cup run, also made two EFL Trophy starts and one sub appearance.

Photo: Matchday Images

Monkey_Blue added 18:22 - Jul 7 It's a shame because he wanted to stay. It will be sickening if he goes on to much bigger and better things but you can't wish him anything but the best….unless he goes to Norwich. 😉
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ArnieM added 18:47 - Jul 7 If he'd REALLY “wanted to stay “, he'd have signed the contract . His agent and maybe the player himself have been called out trying to hold the Club to ransom. He's not bloody Messi!!
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1Warky added 18:52 - Jul 7 Total failure on the part of the new regime. All very well talking about how you are going to support the academy and your vision for the future in bringing players through. Here we have a player who has been described as the best for years and instead of keeping their word, the club has waved the white flag. This is unbelievable. Who is making this decision? Wake up owners!!!

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Karlosfandangal added 18:54 - Jul 7 He may has had his head turned by agents or perants who knows. To me it seem that the club tried to keep him but he may have wanted more than the club where prepared to offer
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Billericay12 added 19:04 - Jul 7 If he was that good we wouldn't have let him go. We could easily have afforded to keep him but chose not to. What does that tell you ???
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runningout added 19:16 - Jul 7 Doesn't matter! Expect it while we're festering in League 1
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Bad_Boy_Mark added 21:23 - Jul 7 For the love of God, please do not sign for that lot up the road! We should have kept Liam, I fear this is one decision that will bite us on the behind...
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HARRY10 added 22:56 - Jul 7 A PL clubs offers a far higher standard of U23 football and CAT 1, which will undoubtedly mean better coaching. That will be what decides where he is next season, not us trying to match whatever a PL club can offer as wages. He has outgrown us, it is as simple as that.
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stiffy501 added 23:25 - Jul 7 The priority is to get out of this league and getting the right players in to achieve that, Liam is one for the future and has the chance to move to a club at a higher level who can offer him a lot better terms. Shame if it turns out to be Norwich but that's football !! So good luck to another Bury lad n hope to see you back here at some point on the losing side though lol

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Taricco_Fan added 23:35 - Jul 7 Urgh.
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bluesman added 00:02 - Jul 8 Bad
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michaeltayken added 00:45 - Jul 8 Norwich have got a pretty good record of nurturing and blooding youngsters through the ranks. Makes sense
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abandon_hope1978 added 08:24 - Jul 8 During last night's euphoria, I was told the following…… Gibbs coach is Adam Attay, and Gibbs agent is Adam Attays brother. Who's advising Gibbs to go. Coach, agent or both???
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Linkboy13 added 08:42 - Jul 8 Ipswich have a brilliant record at producing youngsters. Beattie, Butcher, Burley, Gates etc all internationals that Norwich city will never emulate. But the current crop are pretty average and Gibbs and Baggott are the best of the bunch.
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BeattiesBackPocket added 08:59 - Jul 8 FAcup78 but you've contradicted yourself mate I've got no blinkers on as you just said he's gone probably because of the things you said he can go Norwich and then move on loan to a team higher up the leagues so maybe he's gone due to that and or money how can the club change that exactly in your infinite wisdom?? You've just given the reason WHY he'd go so how can the club change that when we're not in the premier league and able to give him those things I think you meant to say that's the previous regimes fault for taking us as low as we've been? To be honest as Linkboy13 said if he's that great a player already he's be in the first team like dyer, Dozzell or Wickham was at a young age

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bluesteel added 09:51 - Jul 8 seems not many players willing to sign, re-sign or fight for their place with cook in charge and itfc without eleven first team players the future looks uncertain
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IpswichT62OldBoy added 10:51 - Jul 8 Some of the decision may have been related to the type of club we were, Alan Lee made some very interesting comments about the coaching at Playford Rd, (basically it was cr@p). We have made huge changes in the backroom but until they have had a chance to take effect anyone staying here hoping to develop as a footballer may see it as a gamble. It did not look like a place I would fancy working at, looks like that is changing, time will tell.

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