Mick McCarthy insisted David McGoldrick did not want to depart Portman Road on deadline day despite late interest from Bolton, but admitted the striker could still leave the club when his contract expires in the summer.

East Anglian Daily Times: David McGoldrick is a doubt for the weekend trip to Sunderland. Picture: STEVE WALLERDavid McGoldrick is a doubt for the weekend trip to Sunderland. Picture: STEVE WALLER (Image: � Copyright Stephen Waller)

Having been linked with a string of second tier sides during January, McGoldrick became a late target for Bolton following their sale of Gary Madine to Cardiff earlier in the day as the Trotters chased a replacement.

McCarthy confirmed the 30-year-old did not want to move on but, with the Blues boss unsure if negotiations over a new deal were due to begin, he admitted the striker could depart in the summer after five years at the club.

“Yes,” McCarthy replied when asked if there had been any interest in McGoldrick, who is a doubt for Saturday’s visit to Sunderland.

Was anything close? “No,” he replied.

East Anglian Daily Times: McGoldrick and Birmingham City manager Harry Redknapp pictured on the opening day of the season. Picture: Steve WallerMcGoldrick and Birmingham City manager Harry Redknapp pictured on the opening day of the season. Picture: Steve Waller (Image: � Copyright Stephen Waller)

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“I think Phil Parkinson was interested but loads of managers asked me about him. Parky, of course, lost Madine. That’s as far as it went.

“Yes, they were interested but it never got as far as David going there.

“Didzy didn’t want to leave, he wanted to stay here. I think if someone had offered him a three-and-a-half year contract he might have upped sticks and left and I wouldn’t have blamed him because his contract is running out.

“I’m pragmatic about it all but thankfully nobody did.

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“Every transfer window I’ve had here since Didzy’s first good year with Murph, there has been a story he might be leaving and he’s still here.”

When asked about the situation regarding McGoldrick’s contract, McCarthy said: “Who says Didzy wants to stay? He might want to explore his options because he’s a good player and would be a Bosman.

“There is no stand off but, if I’m a player I’m thinking ‘I might get offered this here but then I might get offered more and a longer contract.

“I don’t think either party are wanting to (rush contract talks). Let him play and we’ll see what happens.

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“It might be a place he wants to stay if we finish in the top six. If not he might have a better offer.”

The rumour mill linked the Blues with a move for former striker Jordan Rhodes as the minutes ticked down on Wednesday night, but McCarthy was quick to shoot talk of a return down.

“Not at all, no,” he said when asked whether he had attempted to bring Rhodes back to the club he left in 2009.