Sources: Ipswich Town agree to sign Brighton keeper Walton
Ipswich Town have agreed a deal to sign Brighton goalkeeper Christian Walton on a permanent basis, Football Insider understands.
The 26-year-old has spent the first half of the season on loan at Ipswich before being recalled after Saturday’s game against Bolton Wanderers.
A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Ipswich are determined to sign Walton permanently and have now made a breakthrough in talks.
The keeper is out of contract at Brighton in the summer and an agreement is now in place for him to sign permanently for the League One big hitters.
The deal could be confirmed in the coming days.
Walton has made 18 appearances for the Blues this season, including Saturday’s 2-0 loss at Bolton.
Speaking on Walton’s future after the defeat, Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna said: “We’re working hard to make sure he’s with us for the rest of the year.”
The goalkeeper initially moved to Portman Road on a season-long loan deal in August of last year.
Brighton manager Graham Potter has deemed the former England under-21 international surplus to requirements on the south coast.
Walton has spent the majority of his time at Brighton out on loan.
He has made just six senior appearances for the Premier League side.
Ipswich Town are currently 11th in League One and eight points off the play-off spots.
They welcome Accrington Stanley to Portman Road on Saturday.
In other news, a source has revealed Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Hull City are in a battle to sign a Burnley star this month.