The former Nottingham Forest defender came close to a return to a City Ground return last month.
Ipswich captain Luke Chambers tussles with ex-Norwich man Robbie Brady
Ipswich Town captain Luke Chambers has opened up on his failed move to Nottingham Forest.
The 31-year-old is out of contract at the end of the campaign and was approached by Forest, with whom he spent five-and-a-half years, on deadline day.
And despite receiving an offer he describes as being “better for his future” from the Reds, Ipswich refused to sanction Chambers’ exit.
Chambers instead spent the final few hours of the winter transfer window failing to avoid a 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Forest’s foes Derby County.
Asked if his return to the City Ground was ever close, the defender told Sky Sports’ EFL Weekly podcast: “It was in the club’s hands really.
“Obviously a lot has been made about my situation in the summer with my contract. It’s not something I ever looked and asked to leave, just an opportunity came up which would obviously be better for my future with the club sort of undecided [about] what they want to do with my contract.
“It’s nothing that I really want to go into but it was a difficult day, I didn’t really know whether I’d be playing in the game in the evening, or whether I’d be here or there.
Luke Chambers (left) in action for Nottingham Forest
“Obviously Nottingham Forest is a club that I had a tremendous time at for five-and-a-half years, [I] played a lot of games for [them] and had a good time. That’ll always hold a good place in my heart but at the moment I’m with Ipswich and looking forward to the game at the weekend.”
Though Chambers went on to admit he was upset at the way the day panned out, Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy told The Star this week he expects the club to take up their one-year option on their skipper’s contract.
At a press conference on Thursday, Forest caretaker boss Gary Brazil confirmed he was looking at prospective free agents ahead of the summer transfer window, which suggests a return for Chambers is not out of the question should Ipswich fail to take action.
The Sun reported on Wednesday the Reds are one of several sides keen on Sutton United midfielder Roarie Deacon, whose deal also expires in June.
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