'You don't sell your best midfielder to your rivals'

It has been 16 long years since Ipswich Town triumphed over their bitter footballing rivals Norwich City.

But while the Tractor Boys may not have secured a win on the pitch against the Canaries in recent years, they may be edging closer to netting one in the transfer market.

The Suffolk club, which plays at Portman Road, are believed to be on the brink of signing midfielder Marcelino Nunez in a deal reported to be worth £10m.

But what do fans from both sides of the border think about the 25-year-old Chile international's potential shock move from one of the region's biggest footballing institutions to another?

Lifelong Ipswich fan, Tim Kenny, 52, said: "I think the Nunez transfer ticks a lot of boxes for Town fans.

"He's a creative, central midfielder poached from a Championship rival - and the fact that rival is Norwich is an added bonus.

"He was highly regarded by Norwich supporters, so the news of his defection south of the border has gone down very, very badly."

Nunez, who is in the final 12 months of his contract, joined Norwich from Club Deportivo Universidad Catolica in 2022.

He has since scored 12 goals in 119 first-team appearances, and recently found the net at Watford in the EFL Cup.

But the midfielder is currently nursing an ankle injury picked up in a 2-1 Championship win at Portsmouth on 15 August, which is a concern for Kirsty Acott, an Ipswich fan of ten years.

"I hear he is injured quite a lot, so Norwich might have gained some money and we may have gained a permanently injured player," the 39-year-old told the BBC.

"He is definitely going to have to prove himself, and there's going to be a lot of doubters because he is from Norwich - he is going to have to work some magic for us.

"It's a bit controversial but I don't see why Ipswich shouldn't purchase a player from Norwich – it's just another club really.

"They are our rivals, and I would say the rivalry is on par with the bigger Premier League teams [like Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur]. But at the end of the day, it's business."

Baily Wie, 20, said the transfer - should it be finalised - had left him torn.

"I am pretty happy with it, because he is pretty good on the ball and he scored a few goals last season.

"But I just don't fancy giving Norwich any money – that's the only downside about it.

"I have seen quite a few of their fans pipe up and say they are not pleased about it, and I wouldn't like to give them any of our players.

"But we'll be pleased if he scores a 90th-minute winner against them and shows off in front of them."

Ipswich fan Harry Ward described the prospective transfer as "quite funny" but said Nunez would have to first earn his trust before he is fully convinced.

"I am not too keen on him at the moment, as he is a Norwich player, but I am sure a 90th-minute winner will do it," the 20-year-old said.

"The rivalry has grown over the years, and this year it's going to be bigger than ever, but all they have got going for them is our rivalry, so you have to feel sorry for them.

"I am sure when they have their big day out [at Portman Road], they will give it everything they've got, but hopefully we will pump them 6-0."

If Nunez does complete a move to Ipswich it would represent the first major transfer between the clubs since goalkeeper Andy Marshall switched to Portman Road in 2001.

That move enraged fans, and Robin Sainty, chair of the Canaries Trust supporters group, said this transfer will generate equal amounts of fury.

"Let's be clear, this is a panic buy by Ipswich, and [Norwich] have been offered a ridiculous amount of money," he said.

"You don't spend that amount of money on a player with a poor injury record who's very, very inconsistent, unless you're desperate.

"I just don't see that [Norwich City club director] Ben Knapper had very much choice at all."

One of those disgruntled fans is Jacob Bowles, 30, who runs the On The Stall City merchandise stand at The Forum in Norwich, which took a delivery of Nunez shirts just last week.

He said he was shocked by the move and said fans of the Canaries had already "gone pelters" about the decision on social media.

"It's a massive deal for fans - it can cause controversy amongst Ipswich and Norwich fans," he said.

"He [Nunez] downed tools last season, and he's not really the best player, he's good at free kicks. It might not work out for him there."

Norwich City fan Luke Ashman, 30, said he was heartbroken at the prospect of Nunez leaving.

"I am absolutely fuming and he is a traitor to our club," he said.

"It is not good enough that he gets sold to Ipswich Town - you do not sell your best midfielder to your rivals.

"It is just disgraceful and I am not happy about it. I cannot stand Ipswich Town."

Sarah Catton, whose whole family supports Norwich City, said she was upset.

"I think it is a shame, especially to sell him to Ipswich, of all places," the 39-year-old said.

"I am gutted, really gutted. My husband told me the news and he said it is a real shame."

Terri Westgate told the BBC that last season Nunez was a fan favourite, but not any longer now he may have defected to the "worst team" in Ipswich Town.

"A lot of people are very angry and frustrated and can't believe we are selling one of our good players," she said.

The two clubs are due to face each other in October.

"It's the noisiest game of the season, the best attended game of the season, and it's the most intense game for a fan to watch," she added.

"There is no love lost. We want to beat them at all costs - and all friendships are cancelled on the day.

"Now, suddenly thrown into the mix, is this prospect of one of our former fan favourites now paying for our bitter rivals."

Nunez underwent a medical on Wednesday night and the BBC understands he could be unveiled before Ipswich's Championship fixture against Derby County on Saturday.

Additional reporting by Robby West.

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