Transfer Rumours

[Cabanas Blue]

Watford and Ipswich Town are interested in former Union Berlin defender Niko Gießelmann (31) - however, the defender prefers to stay in Germany. (Kicker)

He's a free agent.

[Cabanas Blue]

I've just had a look and he played for Fortuna from 2017 for three seasons but it seems he's a left back so I can't see him coming to Town.

[hallamblue]

Isn’t he in his 30’s though? Not that age should be a preventer from signing but we are looking towards generally younger players now it seems.

I’m hoping we sign this Arsenal defender . Mid 20’s just what we need .

[shabba]

Ashton has said 'a handful' may come in before the window closes. I highly doubt it will be that many, but he loves a deal.
Still we will need to move players out as already at the limit from what I make.

[hallamblue]

“ At least 3 or 4 “ ( Ashton). If so, who’s leaving?

[number 9]

“ At least 3 or 4 “ ( Ashton). If so, who’s leaving?

Tell ya what, I’ll pay for Edmundson’s train fare back to Scotland!

[Cabanas Blue]

TWTD understands Burnley central defender Luke McNally is on the Blues’ list of potential recruits as manager Kieran McKenna looks to add to his squad as the transfer window moves into its final month.

A central defender has long looked one of the main areas where Town need an addition this summer with Richard Keogh having been released at the end of the season.

We understand McNally is among those under consideration by the Blues with others also on the list. Released Watford veteran Craig Cathcart and Arsenal’s US international Auston Trusty are also understood to be in Town's thoughts.
Former Irish U19 international McNally, 23, played youth football with local County Meath club Enfield Celtic, Drogheda United and St Patrick’s Athletic.

He returned to Drogheda on loan from Dublin side St Pat’s and it was for the United Park club that he made his first senior appearances.

Following his successful spell on loan, 6ft 4in tall McNally signed a two-year deal with St Pat’s in January 2020 and soon afterwards he was linked with the Blues.

A move to England eventually came in January 2021 when he joined Oxford United on a three-year deal.

After 33 starts and two sub appearances, scoring four times, Burnley signed him from the U’s in June 2022 on a four-year deal for a fee understood to be around £2 million.

Having made only one start and three sub appearance, McNally was sent out on loan to Coventry in January and he played 22 games for the Sky Blues as they made the play-off final in which he played the whole 120 minutes.

[number 9]

At 6’4” he’s certainly lofty, exactly what we need to overcome Woolfie’s questionable aerial defence. With 22 games at play off chasing Coventry, sounds like he secured a starting position?

[Cabanas Blue]

Part of what Mark Ashton said after today's games.

Kieran is very specific in his specification of what he wants. That means we recruit from quite a small pond, but we’re down the line on a few and I hope we get them across the line fairly shortly.”

He was saying 2 or 3 more

[hallamblue]

I’m think 2 CB’s and a striker.


Edit: just saw this ….
“Kieran is very specific in his specification of what he wants. That means we recruit from quite a small pond, but we’re down the line on a few and I hope we get them across the line fairly shortly."(Ashton)

[Mauswara]

Maybe someone on the right, Clarke maybe a bit dodgy to start, JD and Wes could do with some help.

[Bluemike]

I was quite impressed with Dom Ball at RB against Luton

[shabba]

Doubt we’ll sign a RB unless there is a Good free agent as a backup, they didn’t spend 1.5m on Clarke to replace him after six months.

Agree ball was fine, JD can be upgraded next year.

[Bluemike]

Luton Town are reportedly eyeing Blues keeper Christian Walton.

According to journalist Alan Nixon, Walton, who spent the first half of 2016/17 on loan with the Hatters, is on the newly-promoted Premier League side's shortlist of potential goalkeeping recruits.

Yesterday, it was reported that West Brom have accepted or are close to accepting a bid of around £3 million from Luton for their keeper Alex Palmer, another former Hatters loanee.

As such, the link with Walton would appear speculative, although we understand Luton have shown interest in the 27-year-old this summer.

The former Brighton keeper, who was in goal for Town as they drew 1-1 in a friendly with Luton at Colchester on Tuesday, has another year left on his contract with the club having an option for a further season on top of that and Town have no interest in selling their established number one.

Walton, who has repeatedly said he's happy and settled at Town, missed Friday’s friendlies at the Innsbruck Cup as a precaution due to a minor plantar fascia issue.

Not sure why he'd even contemplate going there tbh, will be back in the Championship next season, from what I saw of the Two teams he's at the right club

[Dazzz67]

If rumours are true then its an easy decision for Walton, he won't be going. Luton is a class A toilet and the ground is crap, and as Mike states, they will be back down next season.

So don't worry everybody

[Andym]

If rumours are true then its an easy decision for Walton, he won't be going. Luton is a class A toilet and the ground is crap, and as Mike states, they will be back down next season.

So don't worry everybody

That’s my home town you’re talking about
It’s strange, I lived there for 18 years and loved it. Only been back once in the 51 years since….

[Bluemike]

How dare you Dazzz, its class C

[arana peligrosa]

I don't want Walton to go, although the offer of featuring at the highest level might lure him away. That Slicker kid who came on board, I know he started a friendly just recent but is he really going to be first choice in goal for next season, somehow can't quite see it. Might be wrong but just view it as back-up for Walton himself and Hladky.

Best guess he's part of a club set-up right now with an outside chance of promotion to the EPL a year from now so maybe stay on for the duration and give it a go. If we fail, if we don't make it, then Walton just may leave elsewhere but as someone else put it Luton could just as easily drop down themselves in the time stated.

[hallamblue]

How dare you Dazzz, its class C

From memory you described it as Beirut on Speed!

But FWIW, I think it’s good for football that Luton have got into the PL. bloody good on em I say snd I think they’ll upset a few big time Charlie’s at KR. Their home form will be what makes it breaks them.

[Dazzz67]

I went there once and had the joy of spending an hour or two around the town, felt like I was in a foreign country, will say no more in case I offend. Mind you it's a lot like where I am now, Swindon, that's turned into a khazi too!

Nice one Mike, think your right there

[Shed on tour]

Looks like Trusty might be on his way to Sheffield Utd for 5 million.

[number 9]

Looks like Trusty might be on his way to Sheffield Utd for 5 million.

He’s not worth 5 mil, Shed. Good luck to him.

[Bluemike]

TWTD understands League One Stevenage are among the clubs interested in taking Town centre-half on loan.

Earlier in the summer, Blues boss Kieran McKenna said he anticipated Indonesia international Baggott being sent out on loan, however, following impressive displays in pre-season, not least in Friday’s 1-0 friendly victory against Bundesliga giants RB Leipzig in Austria, he says he’s considering whether to keep the 20-year-old as part of his squad.

“I think we’ll have those conversations with Elkan now that pre-season’s done because we’ve had a good spell of time with him,” he said on Friday.

“I think he’s improved over the course of the pre-season, to be honest. I think in general, the players do improve when they spend time in this group with how the boys train, with the players around them and the way that the coaching staff are working with them. He’s improved even in the five weeks or whatever to this point.

“He’s a young player, like a Cameron Humphreys, who we think has a future in the game and a future at the club and it’s about finding that next right step for them this season.

“Is that going to be staying with the group or is it going to be continuing to gain some more exposure to first-team football?

“We’ll have those conversations with Elkan next week and reach the right decision for the club but also for the player because he’s someone we care about we want to keep progressing.”

If McKenna ultimately decides to send Baggott out to gain further first team experience this season, then we understand newly-promoted Stevenage, who the centre-half faced at the Lamex Stadium 10 days ago, are among the League One clubs interested.

Last season, Baggott, who is contracted to the Blues until the summer of 2025 with the club having an option for a further season, spent the first half of last season in League Two with Gillingham and the second in League One at Cheltenham.

If there is any mileage in this then there just has to be a new CB coming in, personally I think he could do a job for us, would certainly have him over Edmundson

[AzzurroMark]

TWTD understands League One Stevenage are among the clubs interested in taking Town centre-half on loan.

Earlier in the summer, Blues boss Kieran McKenna said he anticipated Indonesia international Baggott being sent out on loan, however, following impressive displays in pre-season, not least in Friday’s 1-0 friendly victory against Bundesliga giants RB Leipzig in Austria, he says he’s considering whether to keep the 20-year-old as part of his squad.

“I think we’ll have those conversations with Elkan now that pre-season’s done because we’ve had a good spell of time with him,” he said on Friday.

“I think he’s improved over the course of the pre-season, to be honest. I think in general, the players do improve when they spend time in this group with how the boys train, with the players around them and the way that the coaching staff are working with them. He’s improved even in the five weeks or whatever to this point.

“He’s a young player, like a Cameron Humphreys, who we think has a future in the game and a future at the club and it’s about finding that next right step for them this season.

“Is that going to be staying with the group or is it going to be continuing to gain some more exposure to first-team football?

“We’ll have those conversations with Elkan next week and reach the right decision for the club but also for the player because he’s someone we care about we want to keep progressing.”

If McKenna ultimately decides to send Baggott out to gain further first team experience this season, then we understand newly-promoted Stevenage, who the centre-half faced at the Lamex Stadium 10 days ago, are among the League One clubs interested.

Last season, Baggott, who is contracted to the Blues until the summer of 2025 with the club having an option for a further season, spent the first half of last season in League Two with Gillingham and the second in League One at Cheltenham.

If there is any mileage in this then there just has to be a new CB coming in, personally I think he could do a job for us, would certainly have him over Edmundson

I think Baggott could, with our continued good coaching, be a good player for us. I agree I'd rather see his name on the team sheet than Edmundson. That said, I think a L1 loan would be further good experience for him.

[hallamblue]

I think he should stay with us tbh. He won’t learn anything at Stevenage . He’d be much better being integrated into our squad. We have to take that chance on him I think.

[number 9]

I think he should stay with us tbh. He won’t learn anything at Stevenage . He’d be much better being integrated into our squad. We have to take that chance on him I think.

Agree! Maybe we should send Edmundson to Stevenage...forever!

[Bluemike]

I see we are being linked with Rak-Sakyi again, journalist Alan Nixon has run an article today confirming our interest.

[jimmyt]

I think he should stay with us tbh. He won’t learn anything at Stevenage . He’d be much better being integrated into our squad. We have to take that chance on him I think.

Agree. He just 'looks' right to me. I'd keep him in the first-team squad with a view that by mid-season, he's in front of Edmundson in the pecking order. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

[Shed on tour]

Apparently McNally is having a medical at Stoke. Going there on loan.

[hallamblue]

Not looking good for defensive upgrade is it. What we currently have is not strong enough, in my humble opinion.