TWTD understands that central defender Toto Nsiala is closing in on making his Portman Road exit to Fleetwood but on a permanent basis rather than on loan.

Last night it was reported that Fleetwood were looking to sign the 29-year-old on loan, however, we understand the clubs are in discussions regarding a permanent switch which looks set to be completed before the weekend. It's believed the move will be a free transfer.

Nsiala is out of contract with the Blues in the summer, Town having taken up a one-year option on his previous deal in May, and his impending departure comes as no surprise.

The DR Congo international was signed in the summer of 2018 by Paul Hurst from his former club Shrewsbury.

Nsiala, who spent a spell on loan at Bolton in the second half of 2019/20, has made 71 starts and six sub appearances for Town, scoring once.

The exit of a senior player will assist the Blues as they look to make loan pair Christian Walton and Macauley Bonne permanent signings.

Town were understood to be close to their FFP limits following their summer business and the departure of Nsiala - and probably one or two other fringe players - will free up some room as they look to do those deals with Brighton and QPR. Discussions on both fronts are ongoing.

Photo: Matchday Images

OwainG1992 added 09:25 - Jan 13 Best of luck Toto. Some of the responses yesterday were childish. The guy always gives his all and whilst we are now looking at a higher standard of player you can't doubt his effort.
72

BlueandTruesince82 added 09:30 - Jan 13 Great guy and a good no nonsense defender who who puts everything on the like but also hugely error prone and technically limited to say the least. All the best Toto.
23

raycrawfordswig added 09:30 - Jan 13 Thanks Toto hope this move works out well for you.
32

trueblues78 added 09:31 - Jan 13 All the best Toto. Always have it his best.
13

boltzak added 09:32 - Jan 13 Can't fault his effort, but glad to see the back of him. Shouldn't be too difficult to get a better replacement.
-14

itfcserbia added 09:33 - Jan 13 This makes a lot more sense given his contract situation. No more old regime not cashing in at least a little bit on guys nearing end of contract. Best of luck Toto, never the best player but too much flak his way from some.
20

Len_Brennan added 09:35 - Jan 13 Always seemed like a decent guy & will be a good signing for Fleetwood. The way we are playing at the back now under McKenna would not really suit Toto's style. I wish him well.
34

BeattiesBackPocket added 09:41 - Jan 13 This makes sense for both parties Lovely guy and wish him well he just isn't good enough for me and always looks like making a mistake, letting the ball bounce etc but his pace got him out of a few of these mishaps. The football we're playing doesn't really suit his no nonsense style for me either. Will do well at Fleetwood.
10

ArnieM added 09:42 - Jan 13 Good Luck Toto. A thoroughly decent guy. I'm sure he'll get plenty of game time for Fleetwood. 👍
12

BaddowBlue1 added 09:42 - Jan 13 Good Luck Toto, you need to be playing regularly at your age, so good move for you.
7

Bugs added 09:47 - Jan 13 Toto is a good head it and kick it defender for league one level. But you can understand why he's not in McKenna's plans with the style of football McKenna wants to play. Good luck Toto
10

oldegold added 09:56 - Jan 13 Very average defender and won't be a loss.If it frees up funds for superior players like Bonne and Walton, then go for it
4

Wallingford_Boy added 10:01 - Jan 13 His family are still from that area, so makes sense all round.
8

BlueBlood90 added 10:07 - Jan 13 He never ever should've had his contract renewed instead of James Wilson. Crazy decision.
18

jong75 added 10:13 - Jan 13 Good luck to him. The game against Leeds a few seasons ago, he was immense,sadly, many of his other performances were not so great.
2

Johnnyo added 10:20 - Jan 13 No doubt nice guy wish him well but watching him defend in the box ya heart miss a beat
3

Europablue added 10:32 - Jan 13 BlueBlood90 Did we have an option on James Wilson or did he only want a longer contract?
1

NthQldITFC added 10:32 - Jan 13 All the best Toto. Good man.
4

SamWhiteUK added 10:33 - Jan 13 Let's not forget that we signed him on the back of the fact that he was one of League 1's best performing centre halves that year. We are now in league 1, he can't have got that much worse. Gets a lot of unwarranted stick in my book. He had a few games in a row in which he gave away penalties, probably because each game he was going out of his way to prove himself to the fans that were turning on him. If he hadn't had that string of games, I would wager that he would be seen by the majority in a much better light. Unfortunately, things like that stick in terms of reputation. One of the first games this season, some idiot sat behind me spent the whole game banging on about how Nsiala was going to get a red card. It was pathetic, and it was coming from someone who had clearly hardly watched a game before, but that was Toto's reputation.

8

RegencyBlue added 10:34 - Jan 13 I wish him well and I'm sure he is a nice guy but he isn't good enough and never was! League 2 standard at best for me.
1

johnwarksshorts added 10:37 - Jan 13 Good luck Toto.
1

BlueBlood90 added 10:41 - Jan 13 Europablue Not entirely sure whether we had an option or not but I would've rather kept him on a new two year deal than renew Nsiala for a further year.
5

StirlingArcher added 10:42 - Jan 13 Best of luck Toto hopefully a segment of Fleetwood won't treat you as the scapegoat that a minority here have
5

Linkboy13 added 10:49 - Jan 13 A thoroughly decent guy always has time for a bit of banter with the fans.
3

Monkey_Blue added 10:55 - Jan 13 Never question his commitment and seemed like a nice guy. Hope he does well.
8

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