Former Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy believes the Blues may struggle to keep hold of star goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski and insists he would try and sign him in a heartbeat if he takes another job and is in need of a shot stopper.
McCarthy announced in January, amid interest from Premier League side Crystal Palace, that Bialkowski had agreed a new contract with the club but that deal still remains unsigned.
The Pole has a year to run on his current terms, after the Blues activated an option in his expiring contract, but has already been in contact with new manager Paul Hurst and says he is excited to be part of a new era at the club.
McCarthy remains out of work following his Ipswich departure and is on media duty for talkSPORT at the World Cup in Russia, but believes the Blues may have trouble keeping hold of Bialkowski now following his call-up for the tournament.
MORE: ‘He texted me and I told him I’m looking forward to working with him’ - Bialkowski on Hurst
“He was our player of the year at Ipswich three times – he really is a top keeper,” he said on talkSPORT.
“I’ve been banging on for Bart that he’s the best keeper in the league and I’m surprised that somebody hasn’t come into him before now. I thought somebody would.
“I think they may have a problem now keeping hold of him now he’s in the World Cup squad – if he gets on he’s certainly going to get a bit more exposure.
“He’s only got a year to run on his contract.
“He’s fabulous. If I got a club tomorrow and I needed a keeper then I would go and try and sign him.”
Bialkowski recently insisted he is parking all thoughts on his future until after the World Cup.
“Nothing has changed really,” he said of his contract situation.
“I’m away at the moment so I just want to concentrate on the World Cup and see what happens.
“When I come back I’m going to probably sit down and talk about it.”
Bialkowski was again an unused substitute for Poland this evening as his country lost 3-0 to Colombia in their second group game.
After they lost their opening game to Senegal, last night’s result eliminates Poland from the competition with one group game to play.
Poland end their campaign against Japan on Thursday.
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