Kayden Jackson has told Accrington Stanley he wants to leave the club in the wake of Ipswich Town’s latest £1.75m bid being rejected.
It’s understood that the newly-promoted League One club keep upping their valuation of the 24-year-old striker – with Town’s latest quote being close to £2.5m.
Jackson is now in the final year of his contract, but Stanley are protected by a 12 month extension clause in their favour.
Stanley chairman Andy Holt this morning denied national reports that Jackson had made a formal transfer request, though we understand he had made his desire to move up the ladder clear.
MORE: Ipswich make loan offer for Bogle but cool interest in Accrington’s Jackson
Asked if Jackson had made a transfer request, Holt wrote on Twitter: “No he hasn’t. Makes no matter, I’ve put a sell request in. If some one pays the fair price he can go with my blessing. Only a matter of time for him either way. Best striker around.”
Jackson scored 16 goals for the League Two champions last season and has been in superb form throughout pre-season.
It’s understood the Blues are ready to give up on the deal, with a loan bid made for Cardiff City striker Omar Bogle – a player Blues boss Paul Hurst worked with at former club Grimsby Town.
MORE: Town ready to hijack Wigan loan move for Wolves winger Graham
Hurst is also locked in a cat-and-mouse negotiation situation regarding Blackpool’s Curtis Tilt and Shrewsbury Town duo Toto Nsiala and Jon Nolan – all three having handed in transfer requests.
It’s understood there is no progress on Tilt, while Town edge closer to agreeing a double deal for Nsiala and Nolan.
Meanwhile the club waits on Derby, Middlesbrough or Sheffield United to meet their valuation of striker Martyn Waghorn.
Speaking yesterday, the Blues boss said: “We’ll see if anything does change. We’ve all, including ourselves, got decisions to make as to whether we change our viewpoints – whether that’s ins or outs.
MORE: ‘Nothing concrete’ regarding Garner and Knudsen, but Hurst doesn’t rule out exits
“The tricky situation we’re in is that people can wrongly get an idea that you are awash with money and can add value onto people you are trying to bring in. We’ve got to be careful.
“A lot of these situations, it does feel like you are in this silly game. It’s a case of who blinks first. We’ll just try to make the best call we can as a football club if there is business to be done.”
The window for permanent signings shuts at 5pm next Thursday.
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