Majority shareholder Ed Schwartz has flown over to the UK to hold talks with CEO Mark Ashton and manager Kieran McKenna as the Blues seek to keep the Northern Irishman at Portman Road, TWTD understands.

Over the last few days, McKenna has emerged as a target of Brighton and Hove Albion, Manchester United and Chelsea with his representatives understood to have held talks with all three clubs.

But Town remain hopeful of keeping the man who has guided them to back-to-back promotions at Portman Road for their first Premier League campaign in 22 years.

We understand Schwartz, the CEO of ORG, the US investment firm which manages funds on behalf of the Arizona Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS), the club’s majority owner, flew over from the States earlier this week especially for the talks with Ashton and McKenna.

Schwartz and Blues CEO Ashton were spotted together yesterday at the Salthouse Hotel - and pictured by a fan with those images passed on to TWTD - with the Blues trying to do everything they can to keep McKenna at Portman Road. We understand he is also set to speak to McKenna while in Ipswich.

A new more lucrative extended deal seems certain to be part of the discussions with McKenna already contracted to the club until the summer of 2027.

Photos: TWTD/Contributed

churchmans added 00:27 - May 26 @imabeleiver What announcement are you waiting for???? I can tell you who are manager is it is kiream mckenna You need to get a grip! All of you need to get a grip and look forward to the pre-season unfold and get excited over the incoming signings and then the start of the Premier leauge!! I'm looking forward to the season starting
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KiwiBlue2 added 02:33 - May 26 I suspect this is not so much about the money as far as KMcK is concerned as we will surely offer him a considerably larger salary to the extent of even doubling what he is presently on. I suspect for him a chance to manage Man U would be the realisation of a boyhood dream. That dream is the biggest risk to us. Also his achievements with us have his stocks extremely high and I suspect his agent(s) will be pointing that out. The opportunity, should Ten Hag leave, is there now but might not be in the near future by which time Kieran's stocks might have dropped, especially if we struggle and/or got relegated next year. It will be a real test of the man should he be offered the job. While, if he was, I would wish him all the best and be grateful for his work here. A fascinating few days ahead......

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ImAbeliever added 17:20 - May 26 churchman’s So am I looking forward to the next season starting, irrespective of any management changes (or not). Never inferred otherwise.
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OldFart71 added 19:09 - May 26 I could fully understand if McKenna went to Man Utd. Less if he went to Chelsea and quite bemused if he went to Brighton. Man Utd are whether we like it or not still a major force in British football, a little off their peak maybe, but still a major force with massive Worldwide following and although getting a bit outdated a stadium that holds 76,000. Chelsea have a young team which might suit McKenna, but they sack managers regularly. As for Brighton, yes they are reasonably established, but bigger than Town ? Everything is there to make Town successful. Great backroom staff, excellent CEO and brilliant owners who don't interfere and will give McKenna a majority of what he needs. Like I say, wouldn't blame him going to Utd, but the other two I have stated reasons why I think he'd be foolish to move to.

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