Crystal Palace target Flynn Downes remains absent from Ipswich Town first-team duties amid an intriguing transfer saga.
Paul Lambert told the East Anglian Daily Times the Englishman’s “brain was fried” by the transfer interest and he feels the youngster hasn’t been in the right frame of mind to play.
“The kid’s brain was fried from the Palace thing and that ain’t ever going to happen until (owner) Marcus Evans says there’s a really good bid there,” Lambert said.
“I will drive Flynn there myself (if that happens), because Flynn has done great for me, absolutely brilliant. But the kid’s head is all over the place. He’s training. That’s it.”
The 21-year-old has been the subject of two bids from Roy Hodgson’s side and handed in a transfer request after seeing the second offer dismissed.
Downes missed Ipswich’s Carabao Cup game against Bristol Rovers despite initially being picked by Lambert to play.
The central midfielder’s absence extended into the Tractor Boys’ first league game of the campaign as he missed Town’s 2-0 win over Wigan.
Despite both Palace bids being rejected, it appears this transfer saga remains wide open.
As Lambert appears happy to let Downes go should a decent offer arrive from the Eagles, it appears the next move is down to the south Londoners.
Ipswich have an unsettled player who isn’t even playing for them right now but it seems Palace must offer more money if they are to land this exciting League One prospect.
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