Town are closing in on the completion of the loan signing of Reims central defender Cédric Kipré, TWTD understands, with that deal more advanced than the move for Rennes midfielder Azor Matusiwa as it stands.

Yesterday, reports from France revealed the Blues had made an approach for ex-West Brom, Wigan and Cardiff man Kipré with the 28-year-old set to sign on loan with the deal reportedly including a mandatory option for a €4.5 million (£3.9 million) permanent switch should the Blues return to the Premier League in the campaign ahead.

That deal looks set to be completed within the next 24 hours, perhaps as soon as today with Kipré understood to have been expected at the club this afternoon.

As things are presently, the permanent Matusiwa move is behind the Kipré loan with the player not believed to be travelling to Suffolk today.

A fee has been agreed between the clubs, understood to be €9 million (£7.8 million) rather than the higher figure being reported in France but with personal terms still to be agreed.

Rennes manager Habib Beye, who previously had told former Netherlands U21 international he was unable to guarantee him playing time, confirmed after his side's friendly that “Matusiwa is on his way out”.

Kipré has spent much of his career in England, joining Leicester City as a young player from PSG in 2014 and having had spells with Wigan, West Brom and at Cardiff on loan.

He joined Reims from the Baggies last summer, signing a deal to the summer of 2027, but is now, according to L’Equipe, set to join the Blues on loan for the season with a mandatory option for a €4.5 million (£3.9 million) permanent switch should the Blues return to the Premier League in the campaign ahead.

Paris-born Kipré is right-footed but often operates at left centre-half and has also played at right-back.

The 6ft 4in tall defender made his international debut for the Ivory Coast, for whom he qualifies via his parents, in June having previously played for their U23s.

While at Leicester, for whom he failed to make a senior appearance, he spent time on loan in non-league with Corby Town, before a stint in Scotland with Motherwell.

During his time as a West Brom player, where he spent four years, he had a spell on loan in Belgium with Charleroi.

Town are in the market for a central defender this summer with Cameron Burgess and Axel Tuanzebe having left on free transfers to join Swansea City and Burnley respectively.

Photo: D.Nakashima/AFLO via Reuters Connect

blueboy1981 added 22:23 - Jul 10 An interesting new season is soon dawning - doesn’t seem to be much actually happening on the Club News front - other than Ownership speculation, or maybe fact ! Somewhat different to this time last season. Another New Shirt - the highlight for some thus far. Did Relegation set us back yet another decade ? - soon be time to find out Folks !
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gosblue added 22:45 - Jul 10 Burgess was overlooked early on last season and may have felt hard done by. Moving forward, we will have done our homework on these two potential signings, especially considering the modern scientific assessment tools that may be available to us this time around. Exciting times ahead. COYB
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BeattiesBackPocket added 23:05 - Jul 10 Timkatieadamitfc check his last season at West Brom you’ll find you’re wrong. player's player of the year and supporters player of the year
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bluesissy added 06:30 - Jul 11 Not heard of him to be honest
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BobbyBell added 09:27 - Jul 11 By some of the negative comments on here I guess some think running a business is easy. ITFC have invested heavily in creating a quality championship squad. They spent over 100 million on promotion to the Premier league but it didn't work out and relegation followed. The squad is still a very strong squad for the Championship and money is now being spent wisely on replacements for those who left. This is NOT a time to spend big amounts but to consolidate and move forward again with the quality we already have. IF we do achieve another promotion again then that we will the time to invest heavily. Premier league players cost huge amounts both on transfers and wages and it would be unwise to gamble this summer. Maybe in January if the squad needs a boost but lets be patient and let MA run the club and KM manage the squad. Any new addition has been selected by KM and that's good enough for me.

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orfordbuoy added 12:58 - Jul 11 over the last year we've bought a few duds, but mostly players that were no better than we already have - at huge prices. Fans are obviously sceptical. CM and CF positions look weak - but we all know that.
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blueboy1981 added 14:08 - Jul 11 And Idiots even see fit to ‘mark down’ my 100% Statement of Fact ! That sums up how this beloved Clubs supporter base has changed over time to what it is today - sadly !!
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tractorboy2421 added 17:40 - Jul 11 My best mate is a baggies fan .. he said "He had a big year before he left but that was all he did really...and if he goes to prem var would destroy him...got away with murder..He should of been sent off for 2 or 3 tackles and a diving handball" i ain't seen him play, but i hope he's learned a thing or 2
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Welshblue72 added 18:07 - Jul 11 Anyone know of an update on this? Was supposedly within 24 hrs or even yesterday evening to be confirmed but all seems quiet now. Also on Town Closing in On Matusiwa With Fee Agreed 10th Jul 2025 13:58 Town are reported to have agreed an €11.5 million fee for Rennes midfielder Azor Matusiwa with the Blues close to making the Dutchman their first outfield signing of the summer. 59 this one

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dusth added 10:37 - Jul 13 Have a look at Mutusiwa's show reel. He looks a strong calm and technical defensive midfielder.
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