Ipswich Town receive boost in Blackburn Rovers pursuit as player stance emerges

HIGHLIGHTS

•  Ipswich Town are offering Sam Gallagher a lucrative three-year contract to convince him to join the club.
•  Blackburn Rovers are reluctant to sell Gallagher this month, leaving Ipswich little time to secure a deal.
•  Ipswich are currently in need of a striker due to injuries and are actively searching for a new number nine to bolster their squad.

Journalist Alan Nixon claims that Ipswich Town is handing Blackburn Rovers striker Sam Gallagher a three-year contract in an attempt to entice him to join the team.

Journalist Pete O’Rourke reported on Thursday that the Tractor Boys had another offer turned down, despite it having been revealed earlier this month that they had had two bids for £1 million and £1.5 million rejected for Gallagher.

Dixon claims that Ipswich is willing to offer the 28-year-old a large contract in order to move the deal along, suggesting that the team is not ready to give up on Gallagher.

There are just a few days left in the transfer window, so Blackburn will have limited time to find a replacement even though the Tractor Boys are “close to reaching £2 million” if they decide to sell Gallagher this month.

Although Blackburn has the option to extend Gallagher’s contract for an additional year, it expires in the summer, and he is reportedly eager to move to Portman Road.

Ipswich are not the only club interested in Gallagher this month, with Birmingham City said to have opened talks over a potential deal for the striker, and a move to St Andrew’s would see him reunite with ex-Rovers boss Tony Mowbray.

In his eight appearances for Blackburn this season, Gallagher has contributed one assist and two goals. He has just returned from an almost four-month absence due to a calf injury.

Ipswich Town striker search

Due to a hamstring injury that kept George Hirst out of action until late in the season, Ipswich is currently shorthanded in the striker positions. Dane Scarlett has been called back by Tottenham Hotspur, while Freddie Ladapo has signed a loan with Charlton Athletic.

The Tractor Boys are eager to sign a striker this month, and Hirst’s injury will make it easier for the team to find a new number nine, according to manager Kieran McKenna.

“George is scheduled to see a surgeon this week to get his hamstring tear repaired. Before he is eligible, it will be the very, very end of the season, McKenna told the East Anglian Daily Times.

Prior to George’s injury, we intended to recruit a goal scorer during the January transfer window. His absence for a significant portion of the season now heightens the significance of that.”

Jay Stansfield of Fulham was the subject of an inquiry from Ipswich, but it has now been confirmed that he will spend the remainder of the season on loan at Birmingham.

The Tractor Boys have reportedly made an offer in excess of £1 million for AFC Wimbledon’s Ali Al-Hamadi. They have also been connected to Watford’s Mileta Rajovic and Bournemouth’s Kieffer Moore.

One point ahead of Southampton in third place in the Championship table, Ipswich is presently in second place.

Ipswich Town facing crucial end to January window

Ipswich has a busy few days ahead of them as they try to sign a striker before the deadline on Thursday.

The Tractor Boys have suffered a great loss with Hirst’s injury, and McKenna must bolster his forward line immediately to keep his team’s automatic promotion push going.

Although Gallagher would be a great addition to Ipswich, it is unclear if the two teams can agree on a deal.

The addition of a striker would assist to improve the team’s spirits despite the Tractor Boys’ shocking 2-1 home loss to Maidstone United of National League South on Saturday in the FA Cup fourth round.

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