Are Ipswich Town closing in on Blackpool defender Curtis Tilt?

Could Tilt be on his way to Portman Road?

Blackpool boss Gary Bowyer expecting Kelvin Mellor to sign for Bradford City

The Suffolk club have already had two bids rejected for the centre back, with the last offer thought to be in the region of £550,000 to £600,000.

Blackpool boss Gary Bowyer told The Gazette last month that he would want seven figures for the 26-year-old, who has also attracted the interest of Rangers, QPR and Reading.

The two clubs have remained in contact and it is understood further talks took place last week.

Tilt was an unused sub today during Blackpool's 1-1 draw at Crewe Alexandra. He was later seen engaging in a private conversation with Bowyer on the Gresty Road pitch.

When told Tilt didn't feature in today's game, Ipswich boss Paul Hurst told the East Anglian Daily Times: "Didn't he? I wasn't aware of that but I'm smiling, so hopefully that's good news."

READ MORE: Curtis Tilt's head not turned by outside offers says Blackpool boss Gary Bowyer

Bowyer, meanwhile, remain tight-lipped when asked about the ongoing speculation after today's friendly draw.

“That’s a question you’ll have to ask someone else at the football club. It’s not down to me on that," the Pool boss said.

“The boy has been fantastic all pre-season and he’s had a wonderful year with us.

“I just felt today he was a little bit tired and a little bit frustrated, but we’ll see what next week brings.”

It comes after a fine debut season for the centre-back, who made a seamless transition from non-league after signing from National League side Wrexham summer.

Last season was his first experience of the Football League but the Walsall-born Tilt impressed and ended up winning three gongs at the club’s end-of-season awards night, including The Gazette’s player of the season.

Tilt put in a string of man of the match displays and was a virtual ever-present for Pool last season, missing only two League One games through suspension and finishing the campaign with 45 appearances to his name.

He built up an impressive central defensive partnership with Clark Robertson, who joined Championship side Rotherham United on a free transfer at the end of last month.