Ipswich Town are closing in on the signing of Accrington Stanley central defender Janoi Donacien.
The Blues have agreed a fee with last season’s League Two winners for the 24-year-old, with the club given permission to discuss personal terms and undergo a medical.
Stanley boss John Coleman admitted this morning that he would not be surprised to see the deal completed this evening, but the move is now expected to be wrapped up tomorrow.
Born in Saint Lucia, Donacian was a key part of the Accrington side which won League Two last season, making 51 appearances in all competitions as part of a side which kept 19 clean sheets.
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Donacien, who can also play at right back, spent time in both Tottenham and Aston Villa’s youth systems as a young player while also taking in loan spells at Tranmere, Wycombe and Newport.
Ipswich manager Paul Hurst has made no secret of his desire to bring in central defenders in recent weeks, with captain Luke Chambers currently the only senior centre-half on the Blues’ books.
As well as the expected addition of Donacien, Ipswich remain in negotiations with Blackpool regarding central defender Curtis Tilt.
The Tangerines originally wanted £1million for the 26-year-old, with the Blues’ two offers to date thought to have reached £600,000 for a left-footed defender thought to be keen to make the switch to Suffolk.
Ipswich also retain a serious interest in Donacien’s Accrington team-mate, Kayden Jackson, with the striker wanted by a string of clubs in the second tier.
The 24-year-old scored 16 goals as Stanley secured the League Two title, with the Lancashire club thought to value him at £1.25million.
Meanwhile, Martyn Waghorn’s Ipswich future remains unresolved.
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The Blues’ leading scorer from last season has been the subject of serious interest from both Derby and Middlesbrough, with both clubs needing to move players out before attempting to land the Ipswich striker.
Derby striker Matej Vydra’s proposed move to Leeds, which would have freed the Rams up to sign Waghorn, has broken down, with the Whites instead moving for Patrick Bamford of Middlesbrough.
Ipswich boss Hurst has admitted he would like Waghorn’s future sorted as soon as possible, with the transfer window closing on August 9.
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