IPSWICH have made their first moves towards a summer signing - Scottish international goalkeeper Neil Alexander.The 29-year-old is a free agent after rejecting the offer of a new deal at Championship rivals Cardiff City.

By Mel Henderson

IPSWICH have made their first moves towards a summer signing - Scottish international goalkeeper Neil Alexander.

The 29-year-old is a free agent after rejecting the offer of a new deal at Championship rivals Cardiff City.

He moved to Wales from Livingston for £200,000 six years ago and made 234 appearances for the Bluebirds.

Edinburgh-born Alexander, who started his career with Stenhousemuir, has been capped three times by the Scots.

His capture comes just days after ex-Town keeper Richard Wright, who had been targeted by Magilton following his release by Everton, signed for West Ham.

And it will probably signal the departure of Lewis Price from Ipswich, the Welsh international having already stated his intention to move on if Wright returned to Portman Road.

Town are unlikely to want to retain both Price, 23 next week, and 20-year-old Shane Supple alongside the more experienced Alexander.

Ironically, Alexander's refusal to commit himself to a new deal offered to him earlier this year led Cardiff to consider Wright as a possible replacement.

But, like Town, they were unable to match the money on offer from West Ham and at the weekend snapped up experienced keeper Michael Oakes, 33, after he was freed by Wolves.

Despite their much-publicised cash problems, Ipswich would appear to have offered Alexander a more lucrative deal than he was on at Ninian Park.

Back in March, when it became clear contract talks between club and keeper had collapsed, Cardiff boss Dave Jones said: “The days when this club paid over the odds have gone. That's why Cardiff City were £30 million in debt at one stage.”