Cardiff City striker Michael Chopra and released Reading defender Ivar Ingimarsson are both understood to be holding talks with Ipswich Town, but speculation is growing that new arrivals could spark the sale of Connor Wickham.
Widespread reports yesterday revealed that Cardiff frontman Chopra was edging towards a move to Town, though the club themselves have remained as quiet as ever on the story. Even so, negotiations are understood to be ongoing with Chopra’s agent Kenny Moyes confirming that the 27-year-old is eager to make the switch.
‘It is still a bit premature, but I know the two clubs have been talking and Michael is keen to join Ipswich,’ Moyes told the South Wales Echo.
A press conference seems unlikely this week but the signing of Chopra could yet be sealed before the close of business on Friday. There are some potential obstacles to overcome though, with the former England U21 international believed to be the highest wage earner at the Cardiff City Stadium. Opinion is also divided over whether the absence of a manager at Cardiff will have any impact, whilst the Bluebirds could stand to lose any transfer fee they receive for the former Sunderland striker, for whom they reportedly still owe the Black Cats £1.5 million.
Chopra was not the only prospective signing reported to have been at Portman Road for talks yesterday. Icelandic defender Ivar Ingimarsson, who is a free agent following an 8 year spell at Reading, is also said to have travelled to Ipswich for discussions over a possible deal. The 33-year-old was linked earlier in the week amidst rumours that the Blues were closing in on their first signing.
Meanwhile there is mounting speculation that the arrival of Chopra could herald the departure of Blues striker Wickham. The 18-year-old, who picked up a minor knock on international duty with the England U21s yesterday, was rumoured to be the subject of an £8 million bid from Liverpool earlier in the week.
Reports have since suggested that Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is prepared to offer between £9 million and £10 million for the teenager, though the Anfield club could face competition from Sunderland who have also been strongly linked in the last 24 hours. Despite recently signing a contract to keep him at Portman Road until 2014, Wickham could well be sold to fund further signings, with manager Paul Jewell likely to make considerable changes to his Town squad this summer.
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