Town boss Jim Magilton is reportedly close to signing a young European-based central defender, while Nottingham Forest midfielder Sammy Clingan is again linked with a move to Portman Road.

The defensive target is said to be with a top division club in an unspecified part of Europe, although neither Spain nor Italy. Town are believed to be in talks with the player's current side regarding his move.

Town are likely to look to sign two central defenders during the summer with Leicester City's Gareth McAuley thought to be seen as a replacement for the departing Jason De Vos.

The Blues have been mentioned in connection with a number of centre-halves in recent months, but only a few names fit the reported bill.

Town recently watched Swedish side Helsingborgs IF in action with their on-loan Wigan central defender Andreas Granqvist, 23, believed to be the subject of their interest.

Back in January, Dutch reports claimed the Blues were keeping an eye on another Swede, 25-year-old Jonas Olsson, who is currently with Dutch side NEC Nijmegen, although more recently the former U21 international has been linked with Premier League sides including Everton.

Meanwhile, Town are again reported to be in for Nottingham Forest midfielder Sammy Clingan, a mainstay of the Northern Irish side which came close to qualifying for Euro 2008. Clingan, who is out of contract this summer, was previously linked with the Blues back in March

Elsewhere, ex-Town midfielder Darren Currie is reportedly on his way back to Brighton, the club from whom he joined the Blues for £250,000 in Decenber 2004.

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