Town Sign Irish Youngster Babb.

own have agreed a deal to sign 18-year-old right-back Daniel Babb from UCD, the League of Ireland club has announced.

Babb, who can also operate at center-half, has won caps with the Republic of Ireland at U17 level.

Since Brexit, it’s not as easy for English clubs to sign Irish youngsters at 15 or 16, as used to be the case, so instead they are picked up at 18. Babb will join John McGreal and David Wright’s U21s squad.

“UCD FC can today confirm the permanent transfer of Daniel Babb to Ipswich Town,” ta club press release reads.

“Daniel joined our affiliate academy U15s in 2021 from partner club Mount Merrion. In 2022 he graduated from the Academy into our LOI U17 side.

“In the same year he also went on to make his international debut for the Irish U17s and took part in the squad that competed in the U17 Euros in 2023.

“In 2023 he moved to our U19 side and also went on to make his full first team debut at the age of just 17.”

The Blues have had a number of offers in excess of £1 million turned down with Blackburn initially appearing open to allowing Gallagher to move on before getting cold feet earlier in the week, feeling the players’ departure would leave them short on numbers up front.

Rovers were linked with Birmingham striker Lukas Jutkiewicz late last week, while a report this morning says Watford’s Mileta Ramovic is top of their list of potential recruits but with the Hornets after around £4 million for the Dane.

TWTD understands there had been no movement on the deal in the latter part of the week with Gallagher’s start yesterday also an indication that nothing is close.

But Williams’s apparent presence at Ewood Park yesterday suggests the Blues remain interested in the former Southampton striker, who is understood to be very keen on the move.

Stoke City and Sunderland have also been eyeing Gallagher, while his former Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray was reported to be interested in taking him to Birmingham City yesterday.