IPSWICH Town manager Paul Jewell has revealed he that he tried to sign Burnley winger/striker Jay Rodriguez earlier this summer only to baulk at the �6m asking price.

The 22-year-old’s name came up at this morning’s press conference as Southampton, tomorrow night’s visitors to Portman Road, have recently had a bid for his services rejected.

“They (Southampton) finished the season great last season and they have continued that,” said Jewell, reflecting on the south coast club’s 100% start to the Championship season following promotion from League One.

“They’ve obviously got a lot of ambition. They paid �600,000 for (Jack) Cork (from Chelsea), they bid �5 million for Rodriguez and (Danny) Fox (the latter having signed from Burnley for �1.8m last week).

“We bid a lot of money for Rodriquez in the summer and we were told that he wasn’t for sale unless it was �6 million. It shows the ambition they have got and they have got good players anyway.

“(Adam) Lallana is a quality player so we know we are going to be up against it.”

Burnley are reluctant to let Rodriguez go having already sold key duo Chris Eagles and Tyrone Mears to Bolton for a combined fee of �3m this summer.

– For comment, score predictions, tactical insights and all the latest team news ahead off Southampton’s visit to Portman Road, see tomorrow’s EADT and Evening Star.