According to journalist Alan Nixon, Ipswich Town is offering Sam Gallagher, a striker from Blackburn Rovers, a three-year contract to join the club.
Earlier this month, it was announced that the Tractor Boys had two bids costing £1 million and £1.5 million rejected for Gallagher. On Thursday, journalist Pete O’Rourke said that another offer has been turned down.
Ipswich continue to pursue Gallagher and are willing to offer him a lucrative contract to complete the deal, according to Nixon.
Blackburn are hesitant to sell Gallagher this month, and while the Tractor Boys are “close to reaching £2 million”, it will leave Rovers with little time to find a replacement with just days remaining in the transfer window.
Gallagher’s contract at Ewood Park will expire in the summer, but Blackburn has the option to extend it for another year. He is interested in moving to Portman Road.
Ipswich are not the only team interested in Gallagher this month; Birmingham City are said to have begun talks about a possible deal. A move to St Andrew’s would reunite him with former Rovers boss Tony Mowbray.
Gallagher has two goals and one assist in eight appearances for Blackburn this season, and he recently returned after missing nearly four months with a calf injury.
Ipswich Town striker search
Ipswich are currently short in the forward areas after George Hirst was sidelined till the end of the season with a hamstring injury, while Dane Scarlett has been recalled by Tottenham Hotspur and Freddie Ladapo has joined Charlton Athletic on loan.
The Tractor Boys are looking to add a striker this month, and manager Kieran McKenna has conceded that Hirst’s injury would hasten the club’s quest for a new number nine.
“George is scheduled to see a surgeon this week to fix a hamstring rupture. According to McKenna, he will not be eligible until late in the season.
“We intended to add a goalscorer (in the January transfer window) before George got injured. “Now that he’s out for the majority of the season, that importance grows.”
Ipswich made an inquiry about Fulham’s Jay Stansfield, but he will stay on loan at Birmingham for the remainder of the season.
The Tractor Boys have been connected with Watford’s Mileta Rajovic, Bournemouth’s Kieffer Moore, and have reportedly bid more than £1 million for AFC Wimbledon’s Ali Al-Hamadi.
Ipswich are presently second in the Championship, one point ahead of third-place Southampton.
Ipswich Town facing crucial end to January window
It’s a busy few days for Ipswich as they try to sign a striker before Thursday’s deadline.
Hirst’s injury is a major setback for the Tractor Boys, and McKenna urgently needs to reinforce his forward line to keep his team’s automatic promotion hopes alive.
Gallagher would be a wonderful acquisition for Ipswich, but it is unclear whether the two teams can agree on a deal.
On Saturday, the Tractor Boys were shocked 2-1 at home by National League South side Maidstone United in the FA Cup fourth round, but the acquisition of a striker would help to restore the club’s spirits.
