Blackpool defender Curtis Tilt hands in transfer request

Curtis Tilt has handed in a transfer request at Blackpool

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

The centre back has been the subject of interest from Championship side Ipswich Town, who have already had two bids turned down 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.

But the East Anglian Daily Times are reporting the club are becoming increasingly frustrated with the talks and are considering turning their focus to Shrewsbury Town defender Toto Nsiala.

Ipswich owner Marcus Evans is said to be losing patience regarding a continual moving of the goalposts, with the club not prepared to pay over the odds for a player in the final year of his contract.

Tilt was an unused sub during Blackpool's 1-1 draw at Crewe Alexandra on Saturday. 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."

Bowyer, meanwhile, remain tight-lipped when asked about the ongoing speculation after the weekend’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.