Town keeper Bartosz Bialkowski is closing in on a move to Millwall.

The South London Press is reporting that the Lions have only a few details left to be sorted on the deal, including a medical which is taking place today, and we understand a fee has been agreed between the clubs.

Yesterday, general manager of football operations Lee O’Neill confirmed that Town had received enquiries regarding the 31-year-old, but at that stage no firm bids with Millwall and Birmingham both having previously been linked.

However, the situation appears to have moved on quickly and the Polish international’s switch looks set to be confirmed in the next couple of days.

Following their relegation to League One, Town were willing to consider bids for Bialkowski, the highest-paid player at Portman Road after the bumper new deal he signed last year having returned from duty with Poland at the World Cup finals in Russia.

That new contract followed the Blues' refusal of a £3 million offer from Birmingham for the former Notts County and Southampton man, who, after a tough season for both club and player, is likely to have fetched significantly less this summer, with £1.5 million having been reported to be Town's valuation earlier in the close season.

Despite having said he is happy at Town - and that he plans to live in Suffolk once he retires - League One football was unlikely to improve Bialkowski’s international prospects and a move back to the Championship has always been on the cards.

Bialkowski made 177 starts and one sub appearance for the Blues having signed from Notts County in the summer of 2014 on a free transfer.

The 6ft 4in glovesman, who had a short spell on loan at Town in 2009 without making a senior appearance, won the club's Player of the Year gong in three successive seasons before relinquishing the award in 2018/19.

Millwall are very much in the market for keepers this summer with David Martin having joined West Ham, Ben Amos's loan from Bolton having ended and Jordan Archer having decided to move on with his contract up.

The Blues signed former Gillingham man Tomas Holy last month while youngster Adam Przybek was recruited after leaving West Brom following a trial but will look for another senior keeper once Bialkowski's exit is confirmed.

Among others, Town have spoken to QPR keeper Matt Ingram about his situation, while Bolton’s Remi Matthews is another potential new recruit, although with Championship sides Charlton and Hull City also reportedly interested in the former Norwich man.

Photo: TWTD

essextractorboy93 added 15:22 - Jun 20 Can't blame him for wanting to stay in the Championship. Good luck to him, he has served us well for the last few years.
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casanovacrow added 15:29 - Jun 20 It's like the club is trying to sneak in the bad news whilst people are somewhat distracted by the fixtures.
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TimmyH added 15:33 - Jun 20 Not much of a career move to go to Millwall...wouldn't at all surprise me that he could be seeing back to back relegations.
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jas0999 added 15:46 - Jun 20 It's a shame but not unexpected. Significant savings to the wage bill and a nice fee for Evans to put towards the loss of income for being relegated.
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blues1 added 16:14 - Jun 20 Mickmillstash. Why would we have to pay up his contract? We're not canceling his contract,we're selling him, because at the end of the day, he wants to play at a higher level than we are. Hes not entitled to anything.
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tractorboybig added 17:26 - Jun 20 after his performances last season no loss.
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Dolphinblue added 18:10 - Jun 20 Brilliant keeper, our loss...good luck 👍
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Lathers added 19:55 - Jun 20 The fee won't be £1.5m. It will be £600k plus add ons totalling £8m if Millwall win the Champions League and none of their fans commit murder or assault with the intent to kill during the 19/20 season. Apparently Town's top brass are already ahead of the game working hard on how they can structure a deal to let Lankester go for less than £500k but pick up a 10% sell on when he moves on for £25m.

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runaround added 20:02 - Jun 20 Good luck Bart, thanks for the memories
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H1960 added 20:49 - Jun 20 After last season Millwall is about as good as he can expect to get!! Thanks Bart all the best for the future, we move on
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midastouch added 08:34 - Jun 21 I remember watching Millwall's game on the TV last season as they had a decent cup run and their goalie dropped a right clanger, so doesn't surprise me they were on the look out for a new keeper. Best of luck Bart. Obviously not the dream move he came close to not that long ago when he was on the cusp of joining Palace in the Premier League but football is an erratic business and sometimes things don't work out as hoped (think DmG and Leicester), but then he might still get a second chance at the big time if he's very lucky (think DmG at Sheff Utd) although the clock is ticking and the odds are prob stacked against him now.

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oldblue added 08:48 - Jun 21 Bart failed medical..knee problem
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tomitfc added 09:07 - Jun 21 This seems to of moved very quickly considering only a couple of days ago, Lee O'Neill said there hadn't been any bids.. I hope the money can be reinvested in the playing staff but i'm doubtful.
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TheHound added 09:15 - Jun 21 Loved Bart and wish him the best of luck
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OxtonBlue added 09:23 - Jun 21 Thanks for everything Bartman
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runningout added 10:34 - Jun 21 We haven't improved on incoming signings to a great degree. Thought plan was to bring in more before preseason. Maybe I'm expecting too much again
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Razor added 10:55 - Jun 24 Strange one this but in reality he had a poor season last year----his children will be happy not having to re-locate!!
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