Ipswich Town are expected to bid again for Blackpool defender Curtis Tilt with the two clubs edging closer regarding a valuation.
We understand the Blues have had two bids rejected already this summer, with the latter approaching £600,000, as they work to add to their pool of central defenders following the departure of Adam Webster to Bristol City.
The Tangerines are believed to have initially placed a £1million valuation on a player they signed from Wrexham in the summer of 2017, but are understood to be willing to lower that figure as negotiations continue with a new bid expected from the Blues.
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Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has shown an interest, with scouts from the Ibrox club watching Blackpool’s behind-closed-doors friendly at Burnley on Tuesday, where it is understood Tilt performed well up against physical frontman Sam Vokes.
Gerrard has a number of other defensive targets with Millwall’s Jake Cooper, rather than Tilt, top of that list, while it is understood there is real interest coming from Queens Park Rangers.
When asked about interest in Tilt after last weekend’s friendly defeat at Braintree, Ipswich manager Paul Hurst admitted he was a player he admires.
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“I want a centre-back. I don’t know whether Curtis will be the one or not,” he said.
“And also I think what we have to appreciate is whether clubs want to sell, the prices they’re going to cost.
“That all has to come into the equation because we can all be a manager standing there saying we want this player or that player.
“But those players (Gwion Edwards being the other before he completed his move from Peterborough) are good players, they’re probably the type of calibre I’m looking for.”
Having started his career with Halesowen, Tilt has also played for Hednesford Town and AFC Telford as a semi-pro before entering the professional ranks at Wrexham in 2016. He went on loan to Forest Green in 2017, before moving to Blackpool that summer and impressing during his first EFL campaign.
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The 6ft 4inch defender played against Hurst’s Shrewsbury side on three occasions last season, twice in League One and once in the EFL Trophy, during a season in which he made 45 senior appearances.
Blues boss Hurst is in the market for two central defenders, with captain Luke Chambers the only senior specialist centre-back in the current squad following the sale of Webster, Cameron Carter-Vickers’ loan expiring at the end of last season and the previous departures of both Tommy Smith (Colorado Rapids, January 2018) and Christophe Berra (Hearts summer 2017).
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