Part two covering the latest rumoured deals in the Championship.
This is the second of two parts covering the recent activity from Championship clubs as they continue to occupy inches in the gossip column.
To read part one Click Here >>>
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Ipswich Town |
Roy Keane continued his cull at Portman Road by releasing full back Matt Richards. The defender made 168 appearances for the Tractor Boys but will be looking for a new club next campaign.
Celtic defender Bobo Balde has become top of Keane`s hit-list as he becomes a free agent in the summer. The giant defender has previously been linked with a move to several Championship clubs but his wage demands continue to prove the stumbling block.
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Leicester City |
Leicester City are in for a busy summer if rumours of possible inclusions come to fruition. They are set to offer Bristol City a deal to sign goalscoring goalkeeper Chris Weale, a deal that owner Milan Mandaric would sanction: “He is one of the targets our goalkeeping coach has got,” he said.
“He’s got very very big positive marks when we saw him, so he is one of our targets of course. It is no secret to our supporters, who we are quite open with, that we need a good goalkeeper.”
Meanwhile Mr Mandaric will be doing his utmost to fend off fellow Championship and Premier League clubs for the signature of free scoring forward Simon Cox. Robins boss Danny Wilson seems resigned to losing the former Reading man as Foxes owner Mandaric stated: “He is a quality player and Nigel (Pearson) and his staff think highly of him.
“We are interested but we are facing competition. He is on a shortlist.
“We are at a time when we are approaching that situation and I think we should know more in a few days.”
Lincoln winger Dany N`Guessan is hotly tipped to be joining the Foxes as the Imps resign to losing the former Auxerre man. Sheffield United are also thought to be in the race for his signature.
Former Fulham striker Barry Hayles could be on his way out of the Walkers Stadium with Walsall a possible destination for the veteran forward. The 37-year-old is also in talks with the club for whom he was loaned to last season, Cheltenham Town.
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Nottingham Forest |
The Tricky Trees are looking to bring in their loan players on a permanent basis following a successful run to Championship safety. The most speculative of these is a deal to bring full back Chris Gunter to the club from Tottenham Hotspur.
Just how keen Spurs will be to let the young talent leave remains to be seen, having paid Cardiff City £3million for his services only 18 months ago.
Billy Davies has poured scorn on suggestions that he will be selling striker Nathan Tyson to rivals Derby County. He told the Nottingham Evening Post: “The idea is not to do too much to the current squad.
“We want to add to the squad, not reduce it.”
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Peterborough United |
Championship new boys Peterborough United are looking to make several changes to their current squad with manager Darren Ferguson allowing Chris Westwood to open talks with Hartlepool United.
‘Telling players they can leave is never a nice thing to have to do and my personal circumstances made it difficult for me to go about it the way I wanted,” said Ferguson.
‘But I have to make tough decisions and letting Chris go was a hard one. He has been a brilliant player for us and one of my best signings.”
‘Chris needs and wants regular first team football and I can’t guarantee that next season. I have no doubts at all that there will be plenty of clubs after him now he’s available.”
The Posh are looking to make Lee Frecklington`s loan deal from Lincoln City a permanent one and it seems an agreement for the young midfielder is imminent.
The League One runners up are also sniffing around Grimsby Town central defender Ryan Bennett. The 19-year-old has received rave reviews at Blundell Park, and despite interest from the Posh the Mariners have yet to receive and official offer.
Meanwhile Tommy Rowe has moved to London Road from Stockport County, with the 20-year-old winger citing boss Darren Ferguson as one of the main reasons behind the move.
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Plymouth Argyle |
Paul Sturrock is making strides to bring loanee Carl Fletcher to Home Park on a permanent basis.
Talks have progressed well with the 29-year-old Welsh international`s representatives have progressed well with Sturrock nearing his permanent capture from Crystal Palace: “Chief executive Michael Dunford and the player’s agent are chatting to see what the story is,” said Sturrock
“Carl has shown an interest in coming to the football club, but there is still a lot of water to go under the bridge.”
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Sheffield Wednesday |
The Owls are eyeing a swoop for Irish winger Wes Hoolahan following Norwich City`s relegation from the Championship. The former Blackpool ace will attract wide range of offers however and it remains to be seen whether Wednesday can fend off the competition.
Darren Potter looks set to make his loan deal from Wolverhampton Wanderers permanent with Wolves looking to cast off their fringe players as they embark on their Premier League journey.
There has also been murmurs of former Ipswich Town midfielder Tommy Miller moving to Hillsborough following his release from Portman Road.
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Swansea City |
Swansea have emerged as rivals to Cardiff City and some of Europe`s elite in a race to sign Hamilton starlet James McCarthy. They have laughed off reports however that they will table a club record £4m bid for the young prodigy.
Hamilton are preparing themselves for a bid from the Swans for another of their young talents with goalkeeper Tamas Cerny. They may face stiff competition for his signature as the Old Firm look to do battle for another of Hamilton`s talents.
Leaving the Liberty Stadium could be Dorus De Vries as the goalkeeper`s contract expires next month, with no sign of a new deal forthcoming. This could pave the way for Birmingham City man Colin Doyle to make the move to Wales.
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Watford |
Watford boss Brendan Rodgers has distanced himself from reports linking him to the vacant managers` post at Reading. Following the departure of Steve Coppell from the Madejski Stadium many have put two and two together seeing Rodgers affiliation with the Royals, this is something he refutes:
“There is always going to be speculation as a manager and a coach. You are always honoured if you are linked with big jobs because it means you and your team are doing well.
“But in this moment, my concentration is fully on Watford and looking forward to next year.”
Striker Steve Kabba wasn`t so fortunate as his time at Vicarage Road came to an end. The striker who had been on loan at League One Oldham Athletic completed his move away from Watford by mutual consent.
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