Luke Chambers wants Ipswich Town to do all they can to keep hold of striker Martyn Waghorn but accepts the sums of money involved in the deal may make it hard to resist.
The Blues’ leading scorer from last season continues to be the subject of serious transfer interest from both Derby and Middlesbrough, with deals reaching £8million being mooted for a player Town paid just £250,000 a year ago.
Chambers believes Ipswich must look to keep their best players if they are to achieve their ambition of reaching the Premier League, but accepts the money on offer for both the player and club may mean that is not possible.
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“It depends what you mean by afford,” Chambers said, when asked if the Blues could afford to lose Waghorn.
“If you are paying £200,000 for him and then potentially selling for £8million then it’s the owner’s business and I’m sure he’s going to look at that.
“On the field, no, I don’t think we should be looking to sell anyone like that. If we want to achieve what we want to achieve, and go somewhere, then you have to keep your best players. It’s no secret he’s one of our best players.
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“But in football heads can be turned pretty easily – and there’s probably a story behind it all anyway – but for me personally I don’t want him to leave and hope he doesn’t.
“But on the flip side of the coin, the money we’re talking about might force his mind to be changed.”
Chambers and Waghorn have become close friends since the latter’s move from Rangers last summer, with the Blues skipper insisting any conversations they have had regarding any potential move were had in confidence.
“It’s difficult. I don’t want to talk to him about it or talk to anyone about it really because, if he says something to me, he does it in confidence,” he said.
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“He’s become a good friend of mine over the last year and he’s the sort of guy you want in the team and around the football club.
“So if he does want to leave, I don’t really want to hear it.”
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