Ipswich Town urged to make striker signing amid links with Sheffield United ace Patrick Bamford
Sheffield United striker Patrick Bamford has been linked with a move to Ipswich Town ahead of his contract at Bramall Lane coming to an end.
Ipswich Town have been urged to sign an experienced striker in this month’s transfer window amid claims they could swoop for Sheffield United’s Patrick Bamford.
According to journalist Alan Nixon, the Tractor Boys could swoop for Bamford if he rejects a new contract at Bramall Lane this month.
Bamford, 32, joined the Blades on a short-term deal in November and has scored five goals in ten Championship appearances, giving Chris Wilder’s side some much-needed firepower at the top end of the pitch.
However, his deal is due to expire following Sunday’s FA Cup third round clash with Mansfield Town at Bramall Lane. United remain in negotiations over extending his stay and manager Chris Wilder has made no secret of his desire to keep him at the club.
Speaking last week, the Blades boss said: “We're confident that we can do something. The feedback we've got from Pat is really positive. He knows, as I've said before, what we think of him.”
Wilder added: “I'm pushing as much as I can. But obviously there's a negotiation involved in it. And there will be an attraction from other clubs because of what he's done. So that was the gamble of bringing him in.
“He wanted to sign a short-term deal as well. So it's not that we didn't give him a longer-term deal. That's the road that he wanted to go down. He's backed himself, which is good. And we've backed ourselves in terms of a club and what we can give him.”
Ipswich have been linked with Bamford
Having scored five goals in six starts, Bamford, naturally, is generating interest from elsewhere, with Ipswich reportedly one of the clubs keeping a close eye on his situation at Bramall Lane.
The Tractor Boys are currently without first-choice striker George Hirst through injury, while Iván Azón and Chuba Akpom have struggled for form since joining the club in the summer.
Currently chasing Coventry City and Middlesbrough in pursuit of a top two berth, an increasing number of arguments have been put forward for the Tractor Boys to bring in a striker in this summer’s transfer window.
And in the opinion of former Ipswich defender Mick Mills, the Portman Road outfit need to bring in an experienced goal-getter this month.
"If - and it's a big if - there was one out there, it's either got to be a really good goalscorer from either the number nine or 10 position," Mills told BBC Radio Suffolk.
"When you look at his career record, yes, yes, yes, it's ticks right the way through, as soon as he started his career, he scored goals, and now he's getting towards the end of his career, he's still scoring goals, that's the type of player you want.
"No ifs or buts about it, we need goals. I think we're well covered all over the pitch (in other positions) and I don't want us to buy anybody unnecessarily."