JONATHAN Barnett, the agent for Ipswich Town's England goalkeeper Richard Wright, was today locked in contract talks with Arsenal chairman David Dein. "At the moment Richard is still an Ipswich Town player, but I hope to conclude negotiations with Arsenal successfully over the next few days," he said.

JONATHAN Barnett, the agent for Ipswich Town's England goalkeeper Richard Wright, was today locked in contract talks with Arsenal chairman David Dein.

"At the moment Richard is still an Ipswich Town player, but I hope to conclude negotiations with Arsenal successfully over the next few days," he said.

Town and Arsenal agreed the £5 million fee for Wright a fortnight ago.

Barnett was quick to deny a weekend report that Wright was insisting his goalkeeping coach at Portman Road, Malcolm Webster, should go with him to Highbury.

The agent also denied a story that 23-year-old Wright did not get on with Arsenal's veteran England keeper David Seaman.

"Both these suggestions are fabrication, absolute fabrication," said Barnett.

"The transfer had not hit snags. David Dein and I are just completing negotiations. It could not be brought to a conclusion earlier because Richard has been away on holiday.

"Richard has had part of his medical and that will hopefully be finalised very soon.

"In the meantime, talks continue and, hopefully, I can bring them to a suitable conclusion before much longer.

"The discussions with David Dein are very amicable and I don't envisage too many problems.

"Richard is naturally sad to be on the verge of leaving an Ipswich club where he has had a wonderful time – but he is looking forward to this new chapter in his career at Arsenal."

On Monday Ipswich signed out-of-contract former keeper Andy Marshall on a free transfer from Norwich.

Town manager George Burley said today: "I have spoken to Richard Wright and there is no reason to think the deal won't go through.

"As I've said all along, I'd be quite happy for Richard to stay.

"From what I can gather though, the move should be completed soon.

"I shall be speaking to Richard again tomorrow as we want the situation sorted one way or the other with pre-season training about to start."

That Blues training will begin tomorrow at the Bent Lane training ground without skipper and midfield man Matt Holland or defender Hermann Hreidarsson.

Both are being given a longer time off due to international duty at the end of last season – Holland with the Republic of Ireland and Hreidarsson with Iceland.

Next week the training will switch to the sports grounds of the Royal Hospital School at Holbrook.

On July 17, the Town party go off on a three match pre-season tour of Finland and Estonia.