Bristol City midfielder rumoured for loan departure to promotion-chasing Ipswich Town

Ipswich Town are closing in on a loan deal for Bristol City midfielder Tyreeq Bakinson according to reports.

Bakinson had only penned a new deal back in November after the club opted to activate a clause in his contract but just months after that he could now find his future away from Ashton Gate.

The 23-year-old had missed the last few matches through a positive COVID test as revealed by Nigel Pearson but was back in training last week and played against Fulham.

An article published by Football Insider 24/7 says that the League One outfit are close to a deal that would take the midfielder to Portman Road for the remainder of the season.

It says that the deal is set to be concluded in the coming days and if done in time he could turn out for his new club against Accrington Stanley on Saturday afternoon.

There is a possibility that should the loan work out successful that he could be allowed to leave on a permanent basis.

Mark Ashton, who was previously CEO at City, works for the Tractor Boys in the same role, so he will be fully aware of the players qualities given he would have overseen his incoming to the Robins.

Bakinson has played 14 times for the club this season so the departure of a first-team player could signal that an incoming could take place as a wage will be freed up, as well as a space to register to the EFL’s Championship squad lists.

The centre-midfielder has played 54 times for Bristol City with five goals scored including the match-winning strike against Stoke City before Christmas. Most of his appearances came lat season after he made a breakthrough season, playing more than 30 times in the league.

As well as strong interest in Bakinson, it is believed there was early interest in Kasey Palmer, though a move seemed unlikely as the player would like to remain in the Championship.

No offers have yet come in for Palmer, but he was attracting the attention of Birmingham City, QPR and Huddersfield Town.

Birmingham seem the strongest interest party with a part-exchange deal put on the table during early stage negotiations. No deal has materialised as of yet though and the Jamaican international could likely find himself still contracted to the club come the end of the window.