IPSWICH TOWN: Alex Bruce sees his expected move to Leeds United providing him with a club that meets his own promotion ambitions.

The 25-year-old defender was on the point of joining Sheffield United earlier this week after agreeing terms with the Blades.

But the Blues and the Blades found they could not agree how the �200,000 transfer fee would be paid – leading to Bruce training with Ipswich on Monday and Tuesday.

Leeds manager Simon Grayson came in yesterday and a similar fee was agreed that will rise to �300,000 depending on Bruce’s first team appearances.

Bruce is due to undergo a medical today and discuss personal terms, with the Republic of Ireland international, who played 127 games in four years at Portman Road, likely to become a Leeds player by the weekend.

He said: “Having had a taste of the Championship play-offs last season while on loan at Leicester City this is what I am after again.

“Leeds – like Sheffield United – are a club that can provide that and although automatic promotion is the aim, reaching the Premier League via a final at Wembley Stadium would be fantastic.

“I have had a taste and now I want more.

“Ipswich could have given the opportunity as well but it doesn’t look as though it is going to happen.

“Looking back perhaps the writing was on the wall for me when I was relieved of the captaincy, allowed to go on loan and then lost my number five squad shirt.

“I’ve loved my time at Ipswich and can’t speak highly enough about their fans, and if the Leeds move comes off I will leave wishing Ipswich Town all the best for the future.”

Town’s hopes of signing keeper Marton Fulop hit a snag yesterday when the two parties found themselves some distance apart over personal terms.

The 6ft 5in Hungarian international had turned down a number of offers because he saw his best chance of playing first team football being at Portman Road.

The Sunderland keeper has been in talks with Ipswich boss Roy Keane for the last four or five days after Ipswich initially sought a loan deal before accepting that it had to be a permanent move and coming to an agreement of around �900,000.

Spanish club Hercules, newly-promoted to La Liga, were turned down by Fulop but they could come back on the scene.

However, Keane would still like to have the 27-year-old, who is surplus to requirements at the Stadium of Light, on his books.