BLUES fans are going to have to remain patient with chief executive Simon Clegg admitting there are no new signings imminent and the club won't be held to ransom over prices.

Derek Davis

By Derek Davis

BLUES fans are going to have to remain patient with chief executive Simon Clegg admitting there are no new signings imminent and the club won't be held to ransom over prices.

While manager Roy Keane wants to bring in players in time to join in pre-season, which starts a week on Thursday, Clegg is not optimistic many, if any deals will be done by then.

Clegg said: Discussions are ongoing between myself, Roy and Marcus, but there is nothing specific at this moment in time.

“There is a possibility with players coming back in a couple of week's time for pre-season but conversely if it takes longer than that then so be it.

“The purchasing club is not necessarily wholly in control of the timetable of such complicated negotiations when you dealing potentially with transfer fees with clubs and personal terms with players.”

It could even be that Keane does not finalise his squad until the end of August, when the transfer window closes.

Clegg said: “All different negotiations are being carried out in tandem but we are still some distance from making any formal announcements.

“I can't put a time frame on it but the closer you get to the end of the transfer window, so the more acute the discussion become.”

The recently appointed CEO insists that even though Ipswich are regarded as a cash rich club due to owner Marcus Evans wealth and commitment to get the Blues promoted, they won't be held to ransom.

He said: “We will buy wisely and we will not pay over the odds. This is about quality not quantity,

“We have identified a small group of players we would like to buy, subject to getting them at the right price.”

Clegg understandably would not discuss individual targets but did confirm that Town were not in talks with any overseas players, including Chilean international Eduardo Vargas, even if he has been scouted by the Blues.

Clegg said: “We are not speaking to any players from outside the UK at this moment of time. That situation could change as the transfer market is a very fluid one with a potential to move very quickly.”

Town have been linked with a raft of players, including QPR's Damien Delaney now a target for Newcastle, a host of Sunderland stars and Paul Hartley and Bobo Balde from Celtic, although the Frenchman has agreed to join Birmingham City.

Marvin Elliott, linked last month, has signed a new three year deal at Bristol City, while Manchester United's Lee Martin is wanted by Gary Johnson at Ashton gate along with Birmingham and Stoke.”

Keane is after at least four more players to add to the squad with a left-sided midfielder a priority with the manager also understood be on the look out for a keeper, a mobile midfielder, a striker and at least one other defender, as well as a left back.

Clegg said: “We are after players Roy thinks will complement the core team. He has said he is impressed with the core team and it is a case of adding a small number of people to that who he feels can not only deliver on the pitch but will fit into the team from a holistic perspective as well.”

Although Town have not yet an offer for a single player, with Scunthorpe's interest in out of contract the only probable move, Clegg admits other Town stars may leave in the summer.

He said: “Enquiries happen all the time. I was even approached about a player in the swimming pool at the chairmen's conference in Portugal.

“Roy wants to retain the core of the team but if we bring players in we realise that may have some implications, depending on positions, for other member of the squad.”

derek.davis@eadt.co.uk