League One side Ipswich Town are trying to strike a permanent transfer arrangement for on-loan goalkeeper Christian Walton, according to the East Anglian Daily Times.

The 26-year-old is on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion in what is the seventh different loan club of the stopper's career.

Walton has spent time in the Championship with both Wigan Athletic and Blackburn Rovers in recent seasons, but made the drop down to League One with the Tractor Boys in the summer to compete with another new recruit in Salford City's Vaclav Hladky for the number one jersey.

 

 

 

 

The 1-0 win over Wycombe at the end of December was the first match that Walton had missed for months as he started 11 League One matches in a row for the Suffolk side, firmly cementing himself as first-choice.

But with the Seagulls planning on recalling him following Ipswich's next match this weekend, per Andy Naylor, the hierarchy at Portman Road are looking to secure Walton's signature on a permanent basis.

Walton is out of contract at the Amex Stadium at the end of the season and it remains to be seen if Brighton can be tempted with a bid for the 6 ft 5 in goalkeeper this month.

The Verdict

It doesn't appear that Walton has much of a future at Brighton, so he must only be getting recalled to provide extra cover.

But with his contract up this summer it would make a lot more sense for the Seagulls to entertain a permanent offer from Ipswich if they're going to put money on the table.

Walton has proved to be very impressive for Ipswich and whilst he would be a loss if Brighton were to recall him, they have an adequate replacement waiting in the wings in Hladky.

It doesn't make much sense for the Premier League side to keep Walton around though when he's getting regular game-time elsewhere so it would be a surprise if the Tractor Boys cannot tie up a permanent deal for him.