Blues and Burnley battle over Drissa
IPSWICH target Drissa Diallo will hold make or break talks over his Burnley future today.Town boss Joe Royle has admitted he is keen to make the 30-year-old Guinean international one of his summer signings.
By Mel Henderson
IPSWICH target Drissa Diallo will hold make or break talks over his Burnley future today.
Town boss Joe Royle has admitted he is keen to make the 30-year-old Guinean international one of his summer signings.
But pal Stan Ternent, the Turf Moor manager, is firmly in the driving seat as he looks to hang on to the
commanding centre-back.
Royle's hands are tied because of the Football League transfer embargo placed on Ipswich when they went into administration in February.
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He admitted: "All I can say at this stage is that we are interested, but we can do nothing until we are out of administration and the
embargo is lifted. We hope this will happen on June 4."
That is the date of the next Football League board meeting, when Ipswich hope to be given the go-ahead to bring new players in.
It was against Town, in a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor in January, that Diallo made his debut in English football and the Star first reported Royle's interest in the player earlier this month.
Born in Mauritania but raised in France, he was one of the success
stories of Burnley's often-breached back line last season.
He was only given a one-month deal after being signed from bankrupt Belgian club Mechelen, but quickly impressed to earn a deal through to the end of the campaign.
Now Ternent, who has made it clear he wants to retain the player on a long-term basis, is desperate to fend off interest from Ipswich.
The Clarets boss is gearing up for the first round of crucial contract talks with the player's representative, Phil Black.
"There is nothing concrete yet, although Burnley is still Drissa's first option and he is keen to stay," Black revealed.
"He loves all the lads there and feels settled. We are just waiting on
Burnley's initial offer, but I'm hoping to meet with Stan today and begin negotiations."
Black added: "Drissa is 30 years old and has to make sure the next step he makes is the right one.
"It's no secret Ipswich are keen to take him, but the manager there, Joe Royle, cannot take things further at the moment because of the transfer embargo placed on them."
