A FATHER and son, player and coach, combination are being linked with Ipswich Town.The Blues are close to landing 6'4'' Dutch defender Pim Balkestein. His father Luuk has also been in talks with Ipswich Town about the club's new international scout role.
Derek Davis
A Father and son player and coach combination have been linked with Ipswich Town
The Blues are close to landing 6'4'' Dutch defender Pim Balkestein, while his father Luuk has in talks Ipswich about becoming Town's new international scout.
The EADT revealed last week that Town were close to signing a central defender who playing in Europe and that player is 21-year-old Pim Balkestein from Eredivisie club Heerenveen, where he played 38 games last season.
A fee has been agreed and personal terms are being discussed.
His father Luuk is a former Dutch international.
Luuk used to play for Sparta Rotterdam and is currently scouting for German club Borussia Monchengladbach, but used to work for Heerenveen.
However, although he has been interviewed by Town, it is understood that he will not be getting the job with Ipswich, as the German side are now back in the Bundesliga.
Town have also been linked with Liverpool keeper David Martin. The Blues initially asked about Martin a year ago and the former MK Dons keeper has since been on loan to Accrington Stanley.
The 22-year-keeper is the son of former West ham defender Alvin Martin.
The Blues have also been linked once more with Fulham defender Dejan Stefanovic and Belgian striker Emile Mpenza who is set to leave Manchester City.
Town are still looking to shed players with Accrington Stanley once again moving for their former player Gary Roberts.
A deal is unlikely though as Town will demand a fee and Roberts still has two years left on a lucrative contract which could price him out of Accrington's reach.
Meanwhile, Alex Bruce and Owen Garvan were on the bench as the Republic of Ireland drew 1-1 with Serbia at Croke Park.
Both will be hoping for more involvement when the Irish take on Columbia at Fulham's Craven Cottage on Thursday.
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