Keeper Vaclav Hladky says he expects his Town future to be resolved one way or another next week when he returns for pre-season training.

The 33-year-old’s contract is up on Sunday with discussions having been ongoing since January and we understand Town’s offer remains on the table.

In March, Hladky, one of the stars of Town’s Championship promotion season, told TWTD and other local media that he was keen to stay and that he wasn’t sure why a deal hadn’t already been signed.

Speaking in the Czech media, with whom he has been working during Euro 2024, he revealed there has been no progress on that front and he doesn’t yet know whether he’ll be involved in pre-season training when it starts on Monday.

“I don’t, I don’t, and truth be told, I don’t know when I’ll find out,” he told Canal Plus Sport

“No, I think the deadline is 30th June when my contract ends. That’s Saturday, if I’ve got my dates right, and on Monday we report back for training so everything will all overlap, or link up nicely. And I think, in that week, I should know for sure if I’ll be at Ipswich or if something else awaits me.”

Hladky, who joined the Blues from Salford in the summer of 2021, says he is now also looking at options other than Town, where he might well be second choice next season were he to remain with the Blues looking at other keepers.

“Ever since we opened negotiations on a new contract in January, we’ve followed a clear line that our preferred choice would be Ipswich, I want to stay at Ipswich, I want to extend my time there,” he said.

“And at this point there’s been a slight change in the situation because the negotiations have been tough going and not exactly the way we were expecting them to play out.

“So right now we’re following a strategy where we’ll sit down and take a look at any offer that lands on our desk, weigh-up all the pros and cons, and it’s not like I would prefer this or that destination or league. It really is a case of, whatever comes along, I’ll sit down with the manager [his agent] and with my wife, and assess it.”

Hladky says Town boss Kieran McKenna has told him he wants him as part of his squad next season: “I was there in person on 10th June and sat down with the manager.

“We had a long chat and laid our cards out, how he sees things, how he sees my role next season, and the upshot of that was that he definitely wants me to stay.

“He was a little surprised how the club is engaging with my manager. So he told me he’d have a talk with the [club] management and clarify the things, under what circumstances I can continue and so on. So we’ll see.

“But I would say the difference is that the coaching staff and I are of like mind, but we can’t find common ground with the club.”

Town’s keeper ranks could be set for a shake-up over the summer with Christian Walton perhaps looking to move on having rarely featured last season. The club recently took an option to extend his contract for a further season, which would ensure a fee should the 28-year-old depart.

Third-choice Cieran Slicker has said the next step in his development is a spell out on loan with Kilmarnock and Hibernian understood to be keen on the Scotland U21 international.

The Blues have been widely linked with Brighton’s former England U21 keeper Carl Rushworth, 22, who spent last season on loan at Swansea City and the previous campaign at Lincoln City, having had earlier stints with Worthing and Walsall.

We understand Rushworth, who is 6ft 2in tall, is on Town’s list but with claims that a move is imminent overstating the situation as it stands.

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Linkboy13 added 17:34 - Jun 25 If he signs then it's probably by by Walton who i rate and has never let us down.
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muhrensleftfoot added 17:38 - Jun 25 It’s a strange one, Is Hkadky or his agent being too greedy, or are Town being tight fisted. Either way I’m not sure Vaz will get Premier League football anywhere else.
2

superblues9 added 17:52 - Jun 25 I don't think we should be held to ransom over him I always find him to be a little dodgy and my hearts in my mouth whenever he has the ball at his feet we can find someone to replace him if he goes he came from no where so if he's potentially holding the club for more than he's worth then we can find someone else
2

Rozeeboy74 added 17:54 - Jun 25 He deserves another contract, even if he ends up being 2nd choice.
6

oldburian added 18:02 - Jun 25 It is his last chance for a big pay day so one must assume his side of negotiating is the realisation of that whereas the club has different projections. If those can be reconciled then a deal will be done.
0

Hamish1979 added 18:08 - Jun 25 I am surprised by Hladky's comments and think they are unnecessary. Implying that the manager and club are not on the same page is divisive and not what we need from a player who has served us so well. I would have been inclined to keep faith with him but now I would probably move on.
6

wokingblue added 18:11 - Jun 25 Clearly his agent is holding out for more and better but we'll pay what the club think he's worth. In Ashton I trust.
8

Eeyore added 18:17 - Jun 25 He’s an important player. To have a decent keeper who already knows the system is priceless. They might bring in another keeper who might eventually take his place. So perhaps that’s why we are not offering him as much as he wants. The chance to appear in the prem will surely make him reach a compromise.
3

ArnieM added 18:23 - Jun 25 I wonder what the negotiation hold up is. Player wants to stay . Could it be re number 1 jersey? Surely no GK can stipulate that in their contract. If I’d as I’d do often the case down to ££££ . Frankly, I can see both current keepers leaving. I just hope this Gk we’re chasing is better than the two we have ATM .
1

Rimsy added 18:29 - Jun 25 Looks like he's got too greedy. He had 1 good season, but no biggie if he moves on, sure the club will have someone lined up. I'd be happy for Walton to start as number 1 with a new backup keeper. Think Walton would suit the Prem, certainly commands the box better than Hladky.
2

itfcbam added 18:32 - Jun 25 To me that says Hladky is waiting on another club. Yes he was good playing out from back last season but I feel more confident in our defense with a match sharp Walton behind them. For all his good points Hladky did make numerous mistakes in 2nd half of season and the prem is an unforgiving league. I do feel though we may see a change in No1 and 1 of them going and the other being back up.

3

DariusBlue added 18:40 - Jun 25 Sounds like the agent has got a little greedy. Shame when money interferes given the rise he has had from the ashes and the chance we have given him.
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Cloddyseedbed added 18:42 - Jun 25 Looks like a change is going to happen then, I'm sure Hladky has been offered what the club feels is fair. Walton is not suitable for how we play out from the back as he is not at all confident or good enough will the ball at his feet. Good shot stopper but being a goalkeeper nowadays you have to be as good with your feet and temperament as you are with your hands.

1

jas0999 added 18:55 - Jun 25 Sounds like an offer is on the table, so presumably it’s a case of he accepts or rejects it. I very much doubt he will be the number one keeper next season. He is 32 so doubt we would offer him a long term deal.
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algarvefan added 18:57 - Jun 25 I can't understand anyone saying Hladky is a bit dodgy with the ball at his feet!! He was excellent last season, some of his footwork had my heart in my mouth (but then I am the nervous type) but hardly ever did he let us down. His general goalkeeping skills aren't perfect though and if he can't get an agreement then he may well have to leave. I like Walton but maybe it is time for a shake up with a young new keeper.

4

terryf added 19:30 - Jun 25 Bit of a funny one really. He made some remarkable saves last season but there were times when he played out from the back and made some rash choices. Also his default button for punching the ball when it was easier to catch it was a worry. Over the course of the season probably more plusses than minuses but you could argue that his rashness at Hull cost us three points and the Championship title. Judging by his reaction McKenna was not too impressed either!

3

tetchris added 19:37 - Jun 25 Made some good saves last season but also made some howlers which he mainly managed to get away with. Town play the ball out from the back but he ain’t the best with the ball at his feet and distribution can put him and other players under unnecessary pressure. Think we will probs buy another keeper who will be first choice with either Walton or Vlad as a back up. Typically PL clubs have three decent keepers so can play different keeper in cup competitions and no 1 plays all the PL games. I don’t agree he will be first choice at other PL team so if he does leave he might end up abroad p, scotkabd or a no 1 at a championship club.

0

Marinersnose added 19:39 - Jun 25 I hear that Hladky wants assurances that he’ll be the number one keeper but obviously that may not be the case and so he’s not signed the contract. I believe a new keeper is likely but if he doesn’t want competition then he’ll be replaced
5

LuciBlue added 19:57 - Jun 25 Holding off signing until #1 keeper situation is clearer? Wants to play, not just be back-up, whether that is with Ipswich or elsewhere I'm guessing.
0

Facefacts added 23:02 - Jun 25 Sad it's come to this. From the first game of the season when he overcame a bit of nervousness in first 15 mins he has been pure class. A winner who will provide exactly the same in the Premier League. He has done so well, none of our other keepers are anywhere near the team. They can't get a look in. I cannot see us going away from the playing out from the back tactics.

1

Tractor_Boy_in_HK added 03:43 - Jun 26 Not a Premier League goalkeeper, but seems he will only know that when the offers he receives are from Championship and Scottish league teams. It would be madness to pay him as an EPL starter at this stage...
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Tractor_Boy_in_HK added 03:46 - Jun 26 But best of luck at the Euros Vas...oh wait, he's never been good enough to be on the national team radar (or even near it). That should tell us something. Time for an upgrade.
3

Len_Brennan added 07:26 - Jun 26 We could have done without the 'manager v club' remark, but in general I have no issue with Hladky over his position on this. He is 32 year old footballer, who just had the season of his life, after a career that has highlights at a lower level out of the spotlight. Going into the Summer he would have known that he probably has one big contract left and/or the chance to play Premier League football. This moment is his best chance to negotiate both. If he agrees to stay, he is probably going to be a #2 again, which for a keeper means sitting on the bench for (nearly) all of the coming Premier League season, after which he will be in far less demand elsewhere than he is now. It also would appear that the contract that is on the table is not reflective of his expectation post promotion to the Premier League; this again is probably because the club wants to bring in a new #1 ahead of him. At his age & current elevated status, I think it is perfectly reasonable for him, & his agent, to look to get the best contract he can & try to guarantee as much playing time as he can. I don't see it as being excessively greedy; and if he is looking for too much and some other club is prepared to pay it, good luck to him. He was a signigicant part of our promotion to the Premier League.

6

LegendofthePhoenix added 07:57 - Jun 26 You nailed it there Len. All I would add is t the posters saying "He isn't great with his feet" - what the hell planet do you live on? Playing with his feet is the best part of Vac's game, he is as good with his feet as all the outfield players, and added to that he is ice cold - he can receive balls under huge pressure and still make calm decisions and slick passes that completely wrongfoot the attackers. That for me has been one of the standout elements of our success and joy to watch in 23/24. I don't know of another keeper as good at this as Vac. However, he doesn't command his box brilliantly, and maybe KM has identified this as something that we need to upgrade on. I'd be delighted if we can find an upgrade of Vac , someone with command of the box , shot stopping and who is nearly as cool under pressure with his footwork as Vac, and keep Vac as a back-up. I suspect that is what is going on.

4

TractorfactorSteve added 08:06 - Jun 26 Sounds like it's time to move on.
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