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Ipswich closing in on loan signing of highly-rated Everton teenager Gibson

Lewis Gibson is set to join Ipswich Town on loan from Everton. Picture: PREMIER LEAGUE Archant

Ipswich Town are close to signing Everton central defender Lewis Gibson on loan, we understand.

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The 19-year-old has been a vital member of the Toffees' Premier League 2 side since joining from Newcastle in the summer of 2017 for a fee which could potentially reach £6million, but has not played any senior football aside from four EFL Trophy appearances for Everton's Under 21s.

The move to Portman Road would represent his first loan spell, following in the footsteps of Conor Grant, Callum Connolly and Matthew Pennington who have all spent time in Suffolk. The Blues currently have Luke Garbutt on loan from the Premier League club and are looking to make that switch permanent.

Gibson is currently in discussions regarding an extended contract with the Goodison Park club and that would need to happen before the move to Ipswich is ultimately sanctioned.

MORE: 'It's crazy. You've got to move on' - Lambert rules out Smith move as Town boss confirms Nsiala could join Bolton

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He is in the final six months of his contract with discussions ongoing, while the likes of Feyenoord and AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands and a string of German clubs are said to have shown interest along with former clun Newcastle.

Gibson is an England Under 20 international, is left-footed and extremely comfortable on the ball, with Celtic said to have shown interest earlier in this transfer window.

If Gibson does move to Portman Road he would act as a replacement for Toto Nsiala who is set to join Bolton Wanderers on loan.

Nsiala's move could be completed today, but a move for Gibson is not at that stage yet.

When asked about the possibility of signing former Blue Tommy Smith, who is training with Ipswich's Under 23s after leaving Colorado Rapids, Lambert said: "Tommy's got his own career in the States after whatever he's had here and you can't keep revisiting that. It's crazy. You've got to move on.

"The lad done great here and was terrific but you have to move on. Football doesn't wait for anyone."