Ipswich Town midfielder Grant Leadbitter is facing a choice between signing a new contract with the Blues or joining Portsmouth.
Rumours had spread last week that the arrival of new loan midfielder Keith Andrews would pave the way for Leadbitter to leave the club, with Championship rivals Portsmouth said to be interested.
Manager Paul Jewell subsequently played down those reports by revealing that he was hoping to open contract talks with the 25-year-old, whose current deal is up next summer.
However, the Town boss has now confirmed that an offer has been received from Portsmouth, though the club are still hopeful of retaining Leadbitter’s services with some reports suggesting the bid has already been rejected.
‘We want him to stay and I don’t want us to get into the same situation as last year with David Norris and Gareth McAuley, with contracts hanging over us,’ Jewell told the Official Ipswich Town Website.
‘Portsmouth have made an offer for him but I want him to stay and Grant isn’t one to sulk. I think he wants to get something sorted too.’
Meanwhile Jewell has dampened speculation linking Ipswich with moves for Stoke City’s Ryan Shotton and free agent Ibrahima Sonko as his search for defensive reinforcements continues. Reports of an enquiry for Sunderland’s Anton Ferdinand have also been played down whilst another potential target, Liverpool’s Daniel Ayala, has signed for Norwich City as anticipated.
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