Leadbitter in Town talks

Keane moves for former star

By Peter O'Rourke   Last updated: 26th August 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Leadbitter in Town talks

Leabitter: Ipswich talks

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Ipswich have agreed a fee with Sunderland for midfielder Grant Leadbitter, skysports.com understands.

Town boss Roy Keane has been looking to strengthen his squad after a poor start to the season and he has lined up a move for Leadbitter.

Leadbitter has come through the ranks at Sunderland and has made over 100 appearances for the Black Cats since making his debut in 2003.

The summer arrivals of Lee Cattermole and Lorik Cana have pushed Leadbitter down the pecking order and Black Cats boss Steve Bruce has reluctantly accepted Ipswich's offer for the talented midfielder.

A number of other clubs are thought to be monitoring Leadbitter's situation, but Keane is hoping to steal a march on his rivals by luring him to Portman Road.

Leadbitter's representative, Matthew Buck of the PFA, has confirmed they have been given permission to open talks with Ipswich.

"A fee has been agreed between Sunderland and Ipswich for Grant and we have been given permission to open talks with Ipswich," Buck told skysports.com.

"We are heading down for talks now and we will see what happens."

Keane has also been linked with Leadbitter's Sunderland team-mate Carlos Edwards with a bid believed to have been tabled for the Trinidad and Tobago international winger.