Ipswich Town's Richard Wright has been given permission to speak with Arsenal officials after they expressed interest in the goalkeeper. Ipswich chairman David Sheepshanks confirmed on Sky Sports that he has received a "substantial offer" for the £5 million-rated keeper who is viewed by Arsenal as an ideal replacement for 37-year-old David Seaman.
"I can confirm that Arsenal made a substantial offer for Richard Wright on the basis of which the board have given permission for Richard to speak to Arsenal about personal terms," read a statement issued by Sheepshanks earlier today.
The 23-year-old England international is currently on holiday after undergoing a hernia operation and would have to pass a medical on his return in July before the move to the North London club could go through. Although Wright signed a new three-year contract with Ipswich last month, Sheepshanks has told him the club will not object if he decided on a move to Arsenal.
"If Richard was ever going to leave Ipswich Town we knew Arsenal was his preferred choice," Sheepshanks explained. "We agreed with him that if Arsenal made an acceptable approach then we would not stand in his way. Such a move was not envisaged this coming season and has been made much earlier than expected. Ideally we would want Richard to stay but we understand he sees this as the ultimate move for his career progression."
"Supporters may wonder why such an agreement was made with Richard in relation to a possible approach from Arsenal but very simply if we had not done so he would not have signed a new contract and we could have lost Richard on the Bosman ruling and received no compensation at all," the statement concluded.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
