TWTD understands the Blues’ move for Everton central defender Lewis Gibson is well progressed and the 20-year-old looks set to become the seventh senior signing of the summer.

Earlier it was reported that Town were considering an approach for Gibson, however, we understand the deal is well down the line and not far from being concluded but with the clubs still discussing whether the switch will be a season-long loan or a permanent move. The 6ft 1in tall centre-half’s Toffees’ contract is up in the summer of 2022.

Gibson was previously a player on the Blues’ list of potential defensive targets in January 2020 when they ultimately signed Josh Earl on loan from Preston.

The former England U17, U18 and U20 cap was with Newcastle’s academy before moving on to Everton’s youth set-up in 2017 for an initial £1 million with the deal having potentially been worth an additional £5 million in further instalments to the Magpies.

However, Gibson was unable to break into the first team at Goodison Park, where he will have worked with new Town first-team coach Franny Jeffers, who was the Toffess' U23s coach until he joined the Blues in May.

Gibson spent time on loan at Fleetwood in the second half of 2019/20 and last season was with Reading, where he made seven starts and six sub appearances.

In 2017, he was a member of the England squad which won the U17 World Cup in India.

Gibson could face his older brother Liam on the opening day of the season with the left-back with Town’s first opponents of 2021/22 Morecambe.

Meanwhile, Crewe winger Owen Dale, who is understood to be interesting the Blues and a number of other clubs, admits he's flattered by all the interest.

“It's a compliment especially when people are saying there is some quite big teams interested, but I'm a Crewe player and I'll continue to work hard and do the best I can for this team,” he told the Alex's official website.

“I'm happy to be here and I am going to keep playing as hard as I can for this club.

“Until the gaffer comes to me and says we have accepted an offer it doesn't really matter.

“It’s just speculation and I am only focused on getting as fit and sharp as I can be for the start of the season.”

The Railwaymen have reportedly slapped a £1 million price-tag on the 22-year-old's head.

Photo: Action Images

number8 added 20:45 - Jul 2 I know some are saying no to a loan deal, but his contract is up at the end of next season and if both parties are happy at that point he could join permanently. Either or really could be good.
4

dirtydingusmagee added 21:11 - Jul 2 hope you are right Ringwoody, wish i was that confident, i doubt he will change much, fitness, temperment, ect he should have been moved on imo , but he is still here so must hope he dosnt disappoint. Time will tell.
-1

ip6blue added 21:28 - Jul 2 Good age good player. Hopefully a permanent deal too!
2

DaGremloid added 22:47 - Jul 2 Monkey Blue - do you actually watch the Blues matches? Norwood hardly ever received any service from our inept playmakers. He was living off scraps.
4

KiwiBlue2 added 06:17 - Jul 3 Gibson looks a good prospect but still think we also need a dominating cb who has been around.
1

Crinkle59 added 07:46 - Jul 3 why not a season loan to evaluate as to worth signing ?
1

shakytown added 07:49 - Jul 3 Da gremloid. Why would a Norsh.t troll be watching Ipswich matches?????
0

muccletonjoe added 09:05 - Jul 3 Gibson already good enough for championship. A top, top signing if it comes off. Potential to be premier league imo.
2

gosblue added 09:17 - Jul 3 I guess it comes down to money. If Everton are prepared to subsidise his wages then a loan would work. If not, then he needs to sign on league one wages. Also, he turns 21 this month; how does that affect our fair play wages limit? Either way, this could be a good signing.
1

TractorRoyNo1 added 11:50 - Jul 3 We don't need another kid we need an old warhorse
-1

Monkey_Blue added 16:05 - Jul 3 I watched pretty much all the games and Norwood missed some absolute sitters every game he played. Don't re-write history. It was only the back end of the season where it wasn't just taking chances that was a problem, it was creating them. We need a clinical striker and Norwood has reached the limit of his talent in my opinion. Prolific in non league and league two. Average at this level and thinks he's way better than he is. I won't mention the other issue or TWTD will get upset about legal issues, but if that's true I would sack him anyway.

-1

BlueSwede added 12:17 - Jul 4 I know a lot of posters here are opposed to loans, but this would be a perfect seasonlong loan. Everton will pay part of his wages, his contract is up next summer, and we are free to start negotiating with him in January if we want to keep him at the club.
0

Blogs 297 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls