Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna is hopeful the Blues are close to completing their fourth signing of the January window. 

The Blues have already signed Massimo Luongo on a free transfer, loaned George Hirst from Leicester and signed Nathan Broadhead for a seven-figure fee from Everton during a productive transfer window. 

But McKenna has always left the door open for further signings, which he hopes will be the case soon.

TRANSFER NEWS: Town closing in on Clarke deal 

It's understood Town are closing in on a deal for Arsenal defender Harry Clarke, who began his career in the Ipswich academy and has spent the first half of this season on loan at Championship side Stoke.

“There’s nothing definite yet but we are working behind the scenes and think we’re not too far away from one possible addition, which we’d be really pleased about,” the Town boss said this afternoon. 

“But there’s nothing confirmed yet, which the club will do when appropriate.” 

Discussing whether the Blues have taken calls regarding any of their key players this month, the Town boss said: “Nothing I’ve heard of, to be honest. 

“And I’m not sure the club would even tell me because I wouldn’t want to know. I’m not sure they would entertain anything like that.” 

Matt Penney has returned from his loan spell with Scottish club Motherwell this week, with the Blues considering the next steps for a player who could either head out on loan again this month or potentially move on full-time.

McKenna said: “He’s been in at the training ground and I’ve had some conversations with him, so we’re just reviewing the situation and seeing what the next best steps are going to be for him and for the club.”