IPSWICH Town have been told that it will take a bid of around £1.5million to interest Manchester United in parting with 21-year-old defender Danny Simpson.
Elvin King
IPSWICH Town have been told that it will take a bid of around £1.5million to interest Manchester United in parting with 21-year-old defender Danny Simpson.
The Old Trafford-based club are reported to be happy to let go a player who made seven starts and one substitute appearance while on loan at Portman Road at the end of last season.
Town officials have already spoken to Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, about Simpson moving to Ipswich on a permanent basis after impressing during his loan spell.
Ipswich will face stiff opposition from a number of other clubs for Simpson's signature with Sunderland obvious candidates after the youngster helped the Black Cats gain promotion to the Premier League in 2006/07.
Sunderland would offer Simpson a chance to play in the top flight, but backed by owner Marcus Evans' cash, Town manager Jim Magilton would have sufficient funds to finance a deal.
Simpson enjoyed his stay with Ipswich and would willingly come back as he knows first hand the ambition and drive to reach the top that exists within the club.
The player has now left Portman Road and returned to Old Trafford after the end of the Blues' Coca-Cola Championship season.
He is planning to go to Moscow as part of the official United party for the Champions League final against Chelsea on May 21.
But after that he could be on the move. Ipswich's priority is to add a proven goalscorer to their ranks, but they liked the look of Simpson and could add him to their defensive formation along with a central defender to replace Jason De Vos.
Wes Brown has decided to stay with Manchester United and with Gary Neville's expected return to fitness; Simpson is now - according to reports - surplus to requirements at Old Trafford.
Sunderland boss Roy Keane was keen to sign Simpson on a permanent deal last summer, but at the time Ferguson was not willing to part with the right back who has a United contract until the summer of 2010.
Birmingham and Wigan have also shown interest in signing Simpson.
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