Dundee United remain in the hunt for James Norwood – but Ipswich Town boss Paul Lambert reckons he will stay at Portman Road.
The Tangerines are keen to sign a striker, with former Tannadice ace Pavol Safranko also in their sights.
Norwood – who worked with United manager Micky Mellon at Tranmere – emerged as a transfer target for his old gaffer last month.
But ex-Celtic, Scotland and Borussia Dortmund star Lambert thinks the 30-year-old will still be with the Tractor Boys when the window closes in October.
Speaking to the East Anglian Daily Times, he said: “I do, I do (think the player will remain at Ipswich).
“He has been injured and he’s just come back to fitness. James, in my opinion, will be here.”
Norwood – who signed a three-year deal with Ipswich last summer – raved about Mellon’s managerial credentials after the Scot’s appointment to the United hot seat in July.
He said: “He can achieve anything he wants to if the players buy into what he what he wants. You’d be stupid not to.
“If you’re not going to buy into it, he’s not going to let you up at the club.
“You’ve got to want to win – the gaffer wants to win every week. That’s what we learned. And that’s what we started to do.
“I don’t know, whether it’s in his plans to take Dundee United into Europe or somehow he ends up at Rangers or Celtic or somewhere else.
“He’s worked so hard and wants to be the best in his field, at whatever level he’s at.
“He wanted to be the best manager in League Two, the best manager in League One. Now he will want to be the best manager in the Scottish Premiership.”
