Quiet deadline day expected at Ipswich Town... but McGoldrick’s future remains the key issue

Transfer deadline day is likely to be a quiet one in terms of incomings at Ipswich Town, with the major unresolved issue the future of striker David McGoldrick.

Having brought in Aaron Drinan, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Stephen Gleeson and young French defender Chris Goteni during the January window, mananger Mick McCarthy has insisted his incoming transfer business is done on a number of occasions, as we head towards this evening’s 11pm deadline.

But the future of striker McGoldrick - out of contract in the summer without an option to extend his deal - remains the major unanswered question heading into the final day of the transfer window, with a host of Championship clubs linked with him over the last month.

McCarthy last week revealed that owner Marcus Evans had fielded a number of calls from agents, asking about McGoldrick, but there had been no concrete interest in a player Town are said to value at £500,000. McCarthy joked last week that McGoldrick may want to ‘leave with me in the summer’ when the Blues boss was asked about his striker’s future.

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Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce yesterday distanced himself from McGoldrick, insisting he is looking for a different style of striker, while Cardiff, Fulham, Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham are all said to have held an interest and could look to make a move in the final hours of the window.

Cardiff’s potential capture of Bolton striker Gary Madine could impact their interest in McGoldrick.

Kevin Bru is another who could potentially leave Portman Road today, with clubs across Europe linked to a player who was first made available on a free transfer in the summer. He returned to the fold to cover Town’s string of midfield injuries and was on the bench for Saturday’s loss to Wolves.

Defender Adam Webster has also been linked with a move away, with Bristol City said to be eyeing him as a potential replacement if they sell centre-half Aden Flint amid interes from the likes of West Brom and Derby.

During the January window Town have sold Kieffer Moore has been sold to Rotherham, Tommy Smith has left for Colordao Rapids, Danny Rowe has been loaned to Lincoln and Adam McDonnell was allowed to move to Aldershot, with George Fowler due to join him on a permanent deal.

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One potential new arrival is Limerick right-back Barry Cotter who is thought to be close to joining having previously spent time at Portman Road on trial. He is one for the club’s development squad. The signing of Cotter, who caused a stir online in 2015 due to his likeness to Brazilian star Neymar, from the League of Ireland club would need to be completed before the 11pm deadline.

The Blues are also due to take prolific Stratford striker Ben Stephens on trial this week. He is not contracted to the non-league club, meaning he could sign for Town outside of the transfer window if he impresses sufficiently.