Blackpool are closing in on one of their biggest bits of business of the summer, with a key player set to commit his future to the club.
As reported by the Blackpool Gazette, they're close to getting central defender Curtis Tilt to sign a new contract amidst talk of a move away from the north-west.
He's been linked with a move to Rotherham and Portsmouth, with Ipswich thought to have been looking at a swoop last season, but new manager Simon Grayson is now confident his prized asset will be staying put at Bloomfield Road after talks progressed.
“These things are progressing and are along the way,” the Tangerines boss said.
“We want to keep him and we’re still talking. It’s not a point where we’re looking to sell him or anything like that. It’s basically just trying to get a few finer details in the contract and hopefully we can get it sorted.”
Tilt emerged from non-league two years ago after spells with Wrexham and Kidderminster amongst others, but has proven to be a commanding and powerful presence at the back for the Seasiders. Grayson admitted despite his quick rise, he's a key player at the club.
“He’s had a quick rise from non-league football and quite low down, not just the Conference.
“He’s done really well for this football club hence why there was so much interest for him last year."
The 27-year-old has racked up 87 appearances for Blackpool, scoring five times.
The Verdict
This could be the biggest bit of business they complete this summer. Curtis Tilt is a high-quality defender, alert and agile but also powerful and domineering.
There is little wonder he's coveted by other clubs, but if he signs a new deal it's a huge signal of intent by the Seasiders. It means selling Marc Bola was not the start of them being asset-stripped, merely an inevitable move to fund progression.
They're set for a good season, recruitment has been strong and holding on to Tilt will be a big part of any future success. They should be looking to the top six and believing they can be a part of that play-off picture come May.