Newcastle are poised to sign Ipswich central defender Titus Bramble after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed fee for the player.
The England Under-21 defender is travelling to St James' Park today to discuss personal terms and undergo a medical.
"It will be sad to lose Titus if he does agree to join Newcastle," said Ipswich manager George Burley, whose team were relegated from the Premiership last season.
"He is a player I have watched from under-15 level all the way to the first team at this club.
"He has tremendous natural ability and has the potential to become a future England international.
"Unfortunately the offer Newcastle have made for Titus is something the club could not turn down at this moment in time.
"However I am confident that we are well covered in the centre of defence with a good mix of youth and experience," Burley added.
Bramble's former Ipswich team-mate Kieron Dyer moved to Newcastle for £6 million in 1999.
