Christophe Berra’s future is again the subject of speculation this morning with claims he could return to his former club Hearts as part of a swap deal with Scotland international right-back Callum Paterson, who is currently sidelined with a long-term injury, moving in the opposite direction.

According to the Scottish Sun Berra is “desperate” to move on from Town and rejoin his hometown club where he started his career.

Town are said to be willing to allow him to return to Tynecastle if Paterson were to move in the opposite direction, despite the 22-year-old, whose contract is up in the summer, being out for 10 months having undergone surgery on cruciate ligament injury last week.

Prior to suffering the injury at the end of December, Paterson had turned down new terms with Hearts and was keen on a move to England with West Ham reportedly set to make a move for him in January.

Born in London but brought up near Edinburgh, Paterson, who has won five full Scotland caps in addition to appearances at U18, U19 and U21 levels, came through the youth system at Tynecastle and made his senior debut as a 17-year-old.

It’s not the first time there have been reports that Berra could move back to Hearts during the January transfer window.

Town manager Mick McCarthy recently dismissed a claim that the Blues were in talks to settle the final six months of Berra’s contract to allow him to return to the SPL side.

“That is just ridiculous,” McCarthy said, speaking 10 days ago. “Have you seen how many players we’ve had recently, the squad and the substitutes we’ve had? And I would be settling up Christophe Berra’s contract, who has played every single game? I don’t think so.

“How ridiculous that rumour is. There are rumours that might be close to the truth, but that’s as far away from the truth as you can get. It’s nuts.”

He added: “We’ve got an option on him to sign him [for a further year], he’s our player for the next 18 months if that’s what we want to do.

“I can’t see any reason why I wouldn’t want to keep Christophe Berra, he’s been different class, he’s arguably been our best defender for the last four years.

“He’s certainly been one of the top ones and has consistently played. He’s staying here as far as I’m concerned.”

Town are currently short of central defenders with Adam Webster out for the season with an ankle injury and Tommy Smith not expected to return to match action until mid-February after back surgery, although he returned to full training earlier in the week.

However, former Newcastle central defender Steven Taylor, 31, has been training with the club this week with a view to winning a contract having left MLS side the Portland Timbers in December.

Despite McCarthy having dismissed the previous link, Berra has said he intends to return to Scotland at some stage.

Speaking in September, he said: “I’ve had a great time down here and as I’ve said before my daughter is four and at some point I’d want to go back home.

“That’s obvious — all my family and friends are there — but at the moment I’m enjoying my football. Ipswich have been good to me and hopefully I can repay them.”

Photo: TWTD

Keaneish added 10:25 - Jan 26 Berra's time is up unfortunately. Outstanding in that play-off srason, mediocre last season and utterly woeful for most of this campaign. Time for him to move on this summer.
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planetblue_2011 added 10:27 - Jan 26 Could be a good signing but what about poor Emmanuel?? Thought he would at last get a run in the team. Berra has had his good days at town so wouldn't be the worst thing if he moved on, & Taylor could be a good replacement. Patterson is obviously good as he's a Scottish international. Could be a good deal when he's fit that is.
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ArnieM added 10:30 - Jan 26 So would I . What the difference . Weve had a crocked Williams here most of the season from Palace and hes not even our player !
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ArnieM added 10:36 - Jan 26 iaintaylorix: Whats your problem mate ?
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martin587 added 10:48 - Jan 26 We should never keep an unhappy player,I think it has been showing in his form this season. But to take an injured player in exchange who is out for a long term is absolutely ridiculous,what guarantee do you have he will ever return to full fitness.!
3

TimmyH added 10:55 - Jan 26 Really don't know what to believe there are so many links/rumours going around at the moment...anyway Mick said this link with Berra going back to Hearts was ridiculous so thiere obviousy is no truth in it...NOT! A crocked Scottish international...hhmmmm!
1

RegencyBlue added 11:02 - Jan 26 Assuming this is true, whilst I have no problem with Berra, who has been poor this season and much of last, leaving, to then say we would replace him with a player who may never fully recover from what is a very serious injury beggars belief! I thought we had pretty much hit rock bottom with our transfer dealings - if this is even being contemplated I was wrong!
0

Bluebell added 11:19 - Jan 26 Would we really consider a player who won't be able to play until 2018? How much would his wages be? How much would his recovery cost the club? We won't have insurance for him either. As Mick says "it's a ridiculous suggestion".
1

martin587 added 11:24 - Jan 26 TimmyH,very sorry I down marked you in error.sorry.!
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spanishblue added 11:29 - Jan 26 Maybe not such a bad idea turning a tall centre forward into a centre half the Great Mich Davray played at centre back ? Its only football, anyway somebody with desire will surely give it there best shot,as luke Chambers has for sometime now
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rickw added 11:39 - Jan 26 There is no way Mick will let Berra leave this month for an injured player! I expect Berra to go in the summer, perhaps we'll let Paterson come down here to work on his recovery with the plan to sign him afterwards as we did with Varney. If Hearts don't convince Paterson to come here then I'd expect us to try to get a little money for Berra as we can extend his contract, but he does want to go but he also knows without Smith and Webster how important he is here at the moment (even out of form)

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Orwellblue added 11:44 - Jan 26 Link link link Bored bored bored
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shakytown added 11:48 - Jan 26 Does nothing for our atrocious midfield.
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miltonsnephew added 11:55 - Jan 26 Thanks 😊 I mentioned this at 9am this morning.. 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻 Hope it's true.
0

battyblue added 12:02 - Jan 26 This is all we can expect from town /Evans nowadays anyone nobody else wants are welcomed here with open arms.....what a joke we have become.
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oldelsworthyfan added 12:06 - Jan 26 This is only 'linked', so it will probably come to nothing. Thinking longer term, this could be the only way of getting a 22 year old full international Right Back into our team for next season. Of course there are risks - but then there always are! Berra is obviously not happy and it shows in his recent performances which have cost us several points. Let him go!

1

runningout added 12:10 - Jan 26 good deal when fit....
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Carberry added 12:27 - Jan 26 ArnieM, spot on, let's buy our own crocked players not just loan them.
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cat added 12:54 - Jan 26 Complete PONY as far as I'm concerned, the deal is also very unlikely to be done.....
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casanovacrow added 12:57 - Jan 26 Hang about. Erm why would we swap him for a player that is out of contract in the summer and could get him for free anyway before he's going to be able to play. Surely even taking on the player whilst he is injured is wasting money on wages for 6months... Or 10 tbh. This makes the swap deal worse than if Berra went for free doesn't it? If this is true I suspect Evans is doing a Hull / Barnsley and Ipswich is becoming poundland.

1

pegasus added 13:09 - Jan 26 All speculation, of course, but this could be a shrewd move in both footballing and financial terms. If our current young players can get more first team experience, and if relegation can be staved off (the stats suggest it can), this indicates a young, experienced squad for next season with the possibilities of players who would generate substantial fees if they chose to move.

2

casanovacrow added 13:11 - Jan 26 My bad, he's under 24, there would be a fee. Likely to be peanuts, less than 10 months wages, at most considering he'll be fit under a year before he's 24 and may never be able to play like he did before. Absolute stinker of a deal. Really can't make sense of it.
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Gforce added 13:13 - Jan 26 Link after link after link after link,will any of them actually come true ????
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Gforce added 13:17 - Jan 26 Link after link after link after link, will any of them actually come true ???
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Taricco_Fan added 13:17 - Jan 26 Berra wishing to leave is the worst kept secret.
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