Ipswich Town take action over out of contract player | OneFootball

Highlights

Ipswich Town have reportedly taken up the option to extend the contract of goalkeeper Christian Walton at Portman Road.

That's according to a report from TeamTalk, who say that the 28-year-old had been attracting interest from elsewhere ahead of the summer transfer window.

Walton first joined the Tractor Boys in the summer of 2021, signing on loan from Premier League side Brighton.

He then made that move to Portman Road permanent in the 2022 January transfer window. At that point, Walton was a regular presence between the posts for Ipswich Town.

Indeed, he played every league game as the club won promotion from League One to the Championship during the 2022/23 season.

However, after an injury forced Walton to miss the start of this season, Vaclav Hladky was able to establish himself as Ipswich's first choice goalkeeper.

As a result, Walton himself has made just a handful of appearances for Kieran McKenna's side during the latest campaign, as the Tractor Boys made it back to back promotions to secure a return to the Premier League for the first time in over 20 years.

That may have prompted speculation around the future of Walton, given his contract at Portman Road had been due to expire in the summer.

Such a situation would have allowed him to leave the club for free before the start of next season, although it now seems that will not be happening.

Ipswich make Christian Walton contract decision

As per this latest update, Ipswich have now made the decision to trigger a 12-month option in Walton's contract with the club.

That means his future at Portman Road has now been secured until the end of next season.

Consequently, any clubs who want to sign the goalkeeper during the 2024 summer transfer window, will have to pay a fee for him.

Indeed, it is suggested that a number of other clubs had been considering moves to sign Walton this summer, if he had been released by Ipswich at the end of the campaign.

However, this report now states that will not be happening. It therefore remains to be seen what impact this news of an extension in Walton's contract with the Tractor Boys might mean for that outside interest.

Christian Walton's future may not yet be fully decided

There may be an argument that Walton could still move on from Ipswich during the summer transfer window, even if this 12-month option in his contract is indeed triggered.

Even with this extension, this summer may now be the last chance for the Tractor Boys to cash in on him, should interest from elsewhere continue to linger around the goalkeeper.

Given his drop down the pecking order means he no longer looks to be a key man for the club, it could still be better for all involved if he does move on, should the right offer come in this summer.

That way, Ipswich can raise some extra funds to be reinvested in the club, while Walton gets the opportunity to play regular first-team football that he needs at this stage in his career, and that he looks unlikely to get at Portman Road right now.

Indeed, given they are now preparing for a return to the Premier League, there may be an expectation for Ipswich to improve their squad across the pitch this summer.

Should that be the case, then Walton may still find himself in contention to be moved on over the course of the summer.

With all that in mind, Walton's situation could still be worth keeping an eye on over the course of the summer, despite this latest Ipswich Town contract update.