Town closing in on permanent deal for keeper Walton

The Blues have been looking to make the goalkeeper’s switch to Portman Road a full-time one for several weeks, but faced losing him after his parent club activated a recall clause in his temporary deal.

But negotiations have continued over the weekend and the two parties are now close to completing a move, with a number of loose ends to tie up in the coming hours.

He's likely to sign a deal until at least the summer of 2024.

The move could be complete as soon as today, with the Blues likely to pay a small transfer fee to acquire a keeper who has impressed during the first half of the season. Christian Walton still in an Ipswich goalkeepers shirt at Bolton Wanderers. (Image: PAGEPIX LTD 07976935738)

Luton Town were one of a small handful of Championship clubs to have shown a loose interest in signing Walton, but Ipswich remained the most firm in their desire to land the 26-year-old throughout the process and look set to get their man.

Walton has been open to the idea of a permanent move throughout his loan at Ipswich and is enjoying life under new Town boss Kieran McKenna, as well as working with goalkeeping coach Rene Gilmartin. The two are close from their time together at Plymouth, with Gilmartin thought to have played a key role in Walton's full-time switch.

A permanent move to Suffolk gives Walton the chance to put down some roots, having been at Brighton since 2013 but being loaned out eight times by the Seagulls since then.

Securing Walton on a full-time deal has been one of the club's top priorities during the January window, but Brighton's stance and the fact Walton's Premier League salary is unmanageable for Town in League One means there has been work to do in order for the deal to be done.

If Walton's move is completed, it would be the second big move from Town during the January window, after Macauley Bonne's loan move from QPR was locked in for the rest of the season.