Ipswich Town transfer talk: Armando Broja deal ‘on brink of collapse’ as Blues ‘winning race’ for Burnley defender Dara O’Shea and Jack Clarke paperwork ‘complete’
Ipswich Town’s pursuit of Chelsea striker Armando Broja is said to be on the brink of collapse while they have emerged as favourites to land coveted Burnley defender Dara O’Shea.
It comes as a deal to bring Sunderland winger Jack Clarke to Portman Road is now thought to be just a matter of time.
Albanian international Broja was widely expected to join the Suffolk side on loan from their Premier League west London rivals on Thursday – following the EADT breaking the story of a deal being struck – having been said to have undergone a medical.
But reports that have emerged today, suggest the move for the 23-capped Albanian international who ended last season on loan at Fulham is now looking unlikely to happen due to the protracted nature of the deal.
The Guardian has reported “there is a serious prospect of it collapsing over paperwork issues which are nothing to do with Chelsea. The move is not completely off but Ipswich are believed to be looking at alternative options in attack for (Kieran) McKenna,” while Everton are said to be ‘monitoring the situation’.
Meanwhile, SuffolkNews’ media partners TWTD have also said the move for the 22-year-old, which transfer expert Fabrizio Romano had revealed would include a mandatory £30 million purchase should Town avoid relegation, is ‘close to breaking down’. They also believe Town are now looking at other options.
Meanwhile, fresh reports have said that Town are ‘winning the race’ to sign Burnley’s coveted Republic of Ireland international O’Sea in a new twist for their search for an experienced centre-back, having thought to be close to landing Sheffield United’s Anel Ahmedhodzic.
The 25-year-old, who completed a £7 million move from his first English club, West Bromwich Albion, to join then Premier League outfit Burnley last summer, was said to be close to joining both Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers with both deals breaking down.
Town, whom the 26-times-capped Irish international was said to have turned down in favour of a move to the Bees earlier this summer, are now said to be ‘making significant progress’ on getting a reported £10 million deal for the Dubliner, according to TWTD.
And finally, one transfer that looks to be now only a matter of time to being completed is that of Sunderland winger Jack Clarke, with the Sunderland Echo reporting the paperwork on a deal worth £20 million, with an initial £15m, for the former Tottenham Hotspur youngster is now done.
The 23-year-old attacker scored 15 goals and registered four assists for the Black Cats last term, which followed his 24 goal involvements in all competitions the season before.
Town – who could hand a debut to midfielder Jens Cajuste - are back in action this afternoon with an away game at Premier League champions Manchester City (3pm).
