Ipswich Town defender Cameron Burgess is exploring his options with Girona move link but manager Kieran McKenna wants him at the club next season

Ipswich Town defender Cameron Burgess has been encouraged to explore his options by manager Kieran McKenna.

The Blues boss wants to keep the popular centre-back at Portman Road next season but, with his current deal ending, Burgess can leave on a free transfer this summer.

He’s been linked with a move to Spanish side Girona and while admitting the player has a place in his plans, McKenna knows it’s possible Burgess could see his future lies elsewhere.

“Cameron has (been) and is a very important player for us and an important player for the club,” said McKenna.

“There's been conversations for quite a period now of time. I don't have the most up-to-date version of those, but those conversations have been going on for quite a while.

“I don't think there's a definite conclusion yet or it would have been concluded already.

“Cameron is a senior player now. He's in the last year of his contract. He has his right to, you know, explore his options. And I think it's right that he does that.

“The club has their right to, you know, make the offers that they see best fit. And I think irrespective of whatever happens in the summer, Cameron's always going to go down in the folklore at his club now.

“If it's the right thing for him and his career to stay and be part of it next year, then I'd certainly be more than happy with that from my perspective and would want to have him around.

“If from Cameron's point of view or the club's point of view, there's a different direction, then it won't change too much in my eyes (what he’s achieved) over the last few years.”

Burgess played 90 minutes against both Wolves and Bournemouth this month but has only started one other league game since the turn of the year.