Ipswich Town receive transfer target snub

Ipswich Town have yet to add to their ranks this summer, as another transfer target slipped through their fingers.

They had been linked with a swoop for former Derby defender Richard Keogh, but he’s today opted to join MK Dons instead. The defender was released by Derby after the drink driving incident in which he suffered an injury as a passenger.

Instead of joining Paul Lambert’s side, Keogh has opted to link up with Russell Martin at MK as they look to establish themselves in the third tier this season. The 33-year-old suffered anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligament damage in the car crash, which took place in September 2019, and tt was widely believed he would be out for 15 months.

However, less than a year later he has been unveiled as the latest player to join MK Dons, telling their club’s official site: “Once I spoke to Russ and saw the vision and playing style he has – it just felt like the right fit for me. I can’t be more excited, it’s a fantastic set up here and I really believe in what Russ is trying to build here – I think it’s going to be a perfect fit for me.

“When I saw he got the MK Dons job I was always keeping an eye out for how he was doing, to do what he did in the short space of time, to change the philosophy and the culture in that period was fantastic.”

The move will be a blow to Paul Lambert’s side, who have yet to dip their toe into the market to bolster a side that drastically fell away from the top six last season, despite leading the table at one point.

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Our View

I think Ipswich have dodged a bullet here, no matter how much Derby fans rave about their former captain. At 33-years-old, coming back from that injury is going to be hard and often being out for that period of time affects a player’s mindset as well as his physical fitness.

It’s surprising to see Keogh snapped up so early in the window, Russell Martin obviously believes in his player, but there are others out there for the Blues who will be far less risk. There’s no guarantee the Ireland international can recreate his form from Pride Park at Stadium MK, even in the division below.