TWTD understands Stoke City are currently the favourites to sign Blues target Bersant Celina from Dijon.

The proposed move is set to be a loan with a view to a permanent switch from the French club, who remain in French Ligue 2 and need Celina, who has another two years left on his contract, off their wage bill.

Town have been in talks with Celina regarding his return to Portman Road for a third spell for much of the summer with the player understood to be keen on the switch.

However, no deal has yet been reached and as it stands we understand Championship Stoke is the 25-year-old’s most likely destination.

Earlier in the summer Preston were keen but their interest is understood to have cooled, while Turkish clubs including Antalyaspor have been in talks more recently.

Discussions are continuing with the Blues and Celina returning to Portman Road for a third stint - most likely on the loan with a view to a permanent switch terms of the Stoke deal - still remains possible.

The Kosovo international spent last season on loan at Town having previously been with the Blues during 2017/18.

Town are looking for another senior number 10 in addition to Sone Aluko and Conor Chaplin and if Celina’s move to Stoke does go through will have to move on to an alternative target.

Meanwhile, we understand Joe Pigott's loan move to Portsmouth could be confirmed as soon as today.

TWTD revealed earlier in the week that the 28-year-old's switch to Pompey was close.

Photo: Matchday Images

Ipswichbusiness added 13:49 - Jul 13 Oh dear, I was hoping that (subject to money) he would re-sign for us.
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Europablue added 13:50 - Jul 13 What is the reasoning behind him not coming back for this season? It sounds like we want him and he wants to come, then he could just refuse Stoke's offer.
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Rimsy added 13:52 - Jul 13 Hope there is still time to tempt Celina back to PR. If we do still want him, go in with a cash offer, no need for us to go for another loan.
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Europablue added 13:52 - Jul 13 Ipswichbusiness He already has a place in our squad, so if he really cares about Ipswich like he says and he likes KM, then he will be rejoining us.
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Guthrum added 13:57 - Jul 13 If it's a loan, could come down to how much of his wages we or Stoke are able to pay. Dijon are always going to take the higher figure.
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Karlosfandangal added 14:02 - Jul 13 Town are limited to how much they can pay in wages, so Town will have to off load some players so they keep in the 60% limit
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Europablue added 14:03 - Jul 13 Guthrum I don't think Dijon can force him to play for Stoke, so supposedly he could just refuse to go there (I know I would).
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cressi added 14:11 - Jul 13 If he signs great if not move on. Not worth breaking the bank a talented player But invisible in games at times
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tractorboybig added 14:17 - Jul 13 man would be a fool not to sign for them if offered
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Bazza8564 added 14:21 - Jul 13 the boy will ultimately play where he wants, Pigott goes it reduces the wage bill, it's a big of a juggling match but if the club want him, they have the ways to make it happen, and if the lad from leeds doesn't come it makes it more possible
2

blueboy1981 added 14:22 - Jul 13 In other words - yet another bit part pre-season from Ipswich Town - riddled with If's, But's Maybe's, Possibilities, whilst other Clubs have the nucleus of their team sorted and gelled for pre-season friendlies. We change Managers, we change Owners - but will we change THIS SEASON from being a stagnated Mid Table Third Division Club … ??? Much needs to change - none more so than the fact that that needs to. Will it happen ?? - or will we trundle along in the same old vane ??? MAY 2023 will tell us. At this moment - I an far from sure, for no small reason either … !!!

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BlueNomad added 14:30 - Jul 13 BlueBoy why are you so negative? I don't feel that you enjoy football that much. Our squad already appears to be improving, KMc is having a pre-season, MA is open about the fact that players are not freely available for transfer yet but that we should expect more in before the window shuts. Bigger clubs than us are far from completing their business so why should we be different? Lighten up and enjoy the ride!

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Taricco_Fan added 14:30 - Jul 13 Not too bothered. Celina can be a game-changer one week and anonymous the next. He would be our top earner (if not, one of) and for that outlay we need a more consistent player.
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blues1 added 14:32 - Jul 13 Rinsy. There's no way we could buy him right now. He's on £21.5k a week at dijon. Hd isn't gonba cone die to thx wages we can afford to pay him. Sk inly a loan would be an option. Presumably with an option to buy should we go up. Personally, I dont think we need him. We have other players, who can play in his position and who will work harder than he does. He's a good player but too inconsistent. For every good game he has, he has around 3 or 4 average games. Is a luxury player. And in this lge, we cannot afford that. Need everyone to work their socks off, week in week out.

5

barrystedmunds added 14:41 - Jul 13 Indifferent about this one🤔 Like others have said, he's not on it enough for me to warrant this pursuit. For his undoubted class he should be head and shoulders above anything else in this league but he goes missing too much for my liking.
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blueboy1981 added 14:44 - Jul 13 BlueNomad …. it's called being realistic, stating facts - and not believing what you ‘want to believe' and spending time in Cloud Cuckoo Land. Personally, at this moment, I cannot see what has been done to increase our chances of Promotion this forthcoming season. We need Goals !!! - Where are they coming from ??? - What has significantly changed in that Department ??? - or likely too ??? A sound defence only, will not achieve Promotion. I genuinely hope I'm wrong - both hands held high if / when I am … !!!

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blues1 added 14:46 - Jul 13 Blueboy1981. My god. U never stop with ur negative diatribe. Get a grip man. Weve made 4 good signings already. As was clear last night, that team are gelling well. And we will get one or 2 more in before the end of the window. No clubs have got all their players in yet. Are you seriouy suggesting we dont have the nucleus of our team together already? Or do u want is to repeat last summer and sign 19 players and be starting again from scratch?

10

runningout added 15:02 - Jul 13 No point in any sentimental signings. A couple of sh*thouses will suffice
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markchips added 15:03 - Jul 13 Sounds like it is still on then. More fringe players out on loan methinks to cover the wages.
2

Salyidyce added 15:22 - Jul 13 I hear that a verbal agreement was reached then the contract received did not match what was agreed, Stoke stepped in an are probably offering him close to what he wants. There is probably a lot of wheeling and dealing going on behind the scenes on other targets that effect what we can offer so it all comes down to money and FFP at the end of the day.
1

Rimsy added 15:29 - Jul 13 Blues1. We were reported to have matched the terms and fee for Twine so I'm sure we could do a deal for Celina if we want him enough.
0

blues1 added 15:40 - Jul 13 Rimsy. If you believe twine was earning the same at mk as celina is at dijon? So would have taken a massive pay cut. We didn't ageee anything re twine anyway. We enquired about him but he said he doesn't want to play in lge 1 so we didn't pursue it
2

ITFC_Singapore added 15:42 - Jul 13 Not bothered about this. He is anonymous the vast majority of the time with occasional flashes of pure talent and brilliance. Would still be happy to have him as a squad player and an impact player off the bench, but don't see him as a week in week out player who is a real difference maker to our promotion bid......certainly wouldn't have him in the starting 11 ahead of Aluko or Chaplin. Would still be happy to see him come back, but no big deal if not.

5

gosblue added 15:49 - Jul 13 How can it possibly be down to us not meeting his demands. I don't get it. Dijon pay his wages, we pay them a percentage thereof. For me Celina is a nice to have. I think there are probably other targets more suited to our needs, otherwise Celina would have been signed by now. He can be a game changer off the bench but tends to be anonymous when he starts. Aluko can't give 90 minutes for two games in a week. So I think we need someone who can give us 90 minutes for 40 or so league games. That said, I will be as excited as everyone else if Celina does sign.

2

DaGremloid added 15:54 - Jul 13 Blues1 - you've got a nerve calling blueboy1981 negative. Your vitriolic negativity towards fans who post views you don't agree with is legendary.
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