Ipswich Town’s goalkeeping conundrum could be solved this summer, if the Tractor Boys snaffle up Plymouth Argyle contract rebel Michael Cooper.
It was revealed yesterday that the shot-stopper has rejected a new deal at the club, with the Pilgrims now likely to sell him this summer to cash in on their prized asset.
The Greens were said to have offered the 24-year-old a deal that would make him the highest paid player at the club, but Cooper now looks destined to play his football elsewhere.
This could play perfectly into the hands of the Suffolk side this summer, with uncertainty over who will be playing between the sticks for the newly promoted Premier League side as it stands.
Plymouth Argyle, Michael Cooper disappointment could play into Ipswich Town hands after Vaclav Hladky stall
Kieran McKenna’s side are in limbo in regards to regular goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky as it currently stands, with the Czech star’s contract set to run out at the end of the month.
The former Salford City man featured in every Championship match for the East Anglian side in the previous campaign, keeping 14 clean sheets in the process to help his side into second spot.
As yet, there has been no indications whether the 33-year-old will be continuing his stint at Portman Road past the summer, with the glovesman admitting himself that he is unsure where his future lies.
Speaking to Canal+ Sport in his homeland, Hladky said: “I don’t know (about my future) and, truth be told, I don’t know when I’ll find out.
“I think the deadline is 30th June when my contract ends. That’s Saturday, if I’ve got my dates right, and on Monday we report back for training. I think, in that week, I should know for sure if I’ll be at Ipswich or if something else awaits me.
“Ever since we opened negotiations on a new contract in January, we’ve followed a clear line that our preferred choice would be Ipswich, I want to stay at Ipswich, I want to extend my time there.
| Michael Cooper, Vaclav Hladky Championship comparison 23/24 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Cooper | Vaclav Hladky | ||
| Appearances | 19 | 46 | |
| Clean sheets | 6 | 14 | |
| Clean sheet % | 31.6% | 30.4% | |
| Goals allowed/90 | 1.26 | 1.24 | |
| Save % | 72.6% | 66.7% | |
| Source: FBRef | |||
“And at this point there’s been a slight change in the situation because the negotiations have been tough going and not exactly the way we were expecting them to play out.”
That indecision will have the chiefs at Portman Road getting nervy, but with the news coming out of Home Park this week, the Tractor Boys could have a ready-made replacement ahead of their season in the sun.
Michael Cooper set for summer move after Plymouth Argyle rejection
The news that Cooper will be moving on this summer will be tough to take for many associated with Argyle, with the local lad living every fan’s dream over the past few seasons.
The academy graduate had become the regular choice between the sticks, with 141 appearances for the Pilgrims since making his debut as an 18-year-old in October 2018.
The 24-year-old’s reflexes have defied belief over recent seasons, and his contributions were key in Argyle achieving League One promotion in the 22/23 campaign, despite injury ruling him out for the run-in.
A succession of setbacks saw him muster just 19 appearances in the Championship in the previous campaign, but once fit, the shot-stopper reminded everyone just why he has been touted as one of the top ‘keepers in the country ever since he made his breakthrough.
Town obviously won’t be alone in trying to tempt Cooper to the club this summer, with plenty of top Championship sides likely to be interested, as well as top flight outfits, with The Sun journalist Alan Nixon stating there has been ‘widespread interest’ in him this summer already.
Nixon has also reported that Aston Villa held an interest in the past, but if the East Anglian outfit act fast, they could have an outstanding talent at their disposal next season, and one that is only going to improve over time.
Despite the disappointing news, Argyle will also be happy to cash in on their academy graduate this summer, and reinvest what promises to be a club-record fee received back into the playing squad ahead of the next Championship campaign.
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