Town are amongst a number of Championship clubs targeting Northampton left winger Michael Jacobs, who is out of contract at the end of the season. Peterborough are also believed to be interested, while Derby, Watford, Bristol City and Charlton have all previously been linked.

The 20-year-old impressed in the Cobblers’ 2-1 Carling Cup victory at Portman Road in August and went on to score seven times in his second full season for the Cobblers.

Born in Rothwell, 5ft 9in tall Jacobs came through the ranks at Northampton, which is his local club, and broke into the first team in 2009/10 when he made two Johnstone’s Paint Trophy appearances, before spending time on loan with non-league Nuneaton Town. He has now made 86 starts and 14 sub appearances for the Sixfields club, scoring 15 goals.

Despite his contract being up this summer, Northampton, who have offered new terms to their prize asset, are entitled to compensation due to his age, but Cobblers manager Aidy Boothroyd said over the weekend that no one has yet offered an acceptable figure: “There is no news on the Michael Jacobs contract and it is one of those situations that is a little bit up in the air at the moment.

“No one has made us an offer that floats our boat and as things stand he will start pre-season here with everybody else.

“If it goes to a tribunal and that’s what Michael decides he wants to happen, we will get what we are due.”

Boothroyd says the League Two club want cash up front if possible: “We are not stupid, we won’t be going for a deal with sell-on clauses or add-ons because with Bosman moves and swap deals you can lose out there. If someone wants Michael they will have to find some serious cash to buy him.

“Cash is king and while we want to keep Michael, if he wants to move on then someone will have to pay the sort of money we know he is worth, it is as simple as that. He has been with this club since he was very young and he has done very well for us.”

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

Mungo added 23:44 - May 7 Sweet! - Very highly rated...
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Garv added 23:49 - May 7 Go for it, but get the deal DONE for goodness sake. We don't want another saga situation where we will inevitably miss out in the end.
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Tractorboy24 added 23:50 - May 7 Be happy with him. I'd be surprised if they get what they want, if it goes to tribunal, effectively he's a 2nd season league 2 player, the cash upfront would surely be minimal?
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walberswick added 23:50 - May 7 BOGOF!
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LancsBlue added 23:53 - May 7 Aidy Boothroyd is clearly aware of our record of signing players and then letting them go for nothing when their contracts expire. "We are not stupid, we won't be going for a deal with sell-on clauses"
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martleshamitfc added 00:08 - May 8 He will sign for Posh. Get used to 100's of these stories over next few months... yawn!
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walberswick added 00:11 - May 8 Can TWTD run a sweepstake for the first summer signing by PJ?
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robdaful added 00:14 - May 8 Would be a good signing. Left winger, so replacement for Murphy (diffrent style tho) As he's not going to be an aerial threat.
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blueoff added 00:33 - May 8 Yet jordan rhodes wasnt considered good enough ?, wtf
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afrodids added 01:05 - May 8 Off to posh then! As we can't compete with them these days either! Yawn wake me up when we actually sign someone. :)
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itfc1981 added 06:54 - May 8 Clegg = no deal done (if other clubs are involved).
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Keaneish added 07:17 - May 8 See Boothroyd has finally found his level!
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weddings added 07:27 - May 8 No chance of getting him...Who will want to come here no one...
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dawoolah added 07:43 - May 8 Great news! Been saying this for ages. I'd doubt he would go to Peterboro - It would be like Leadbitter going to Norwich!
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Mark added 08:03 - May 8 Sounds like the sort of player we have all been asking for, so let's hope this deal and others like it happen.
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geography26 added 08:12 - May 8 If its gonna happen it needs to happen quickly! Looks like a good young, hungry player!
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Bleedingblue added 08:13 - May 8 I heard he was a cracker, what's all the fuss about?
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vodkaboy added 08:19 - May 8 I have seen he play a few times both this season and last. Good league 1 / 2 player but not Championship level.. Lacks pace.
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Sindre94 added 08:24 - May 8 Never seen him but surely worth a punt
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ArnieM added 08:30 - May 8 Suspect we will be needing anotgher web site to house all the players Town will be linked to between now and the start of the the new season......and I wonder how many primary targets will we be successful in getting here?
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bluearmy78 added 08:33 - May 8 @vodkaboy-lacks pace!! Saw him play against Oxford last month and he ripped them apart with his pace!!! Get this lad signed up, good age with bags of potential, would easily step up to the Championship.
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MickMillsTash added 08:57 - May 8 Know nothing about him- but seems to be the fit the profile of the sort of player that we need to be bringing into the club. Apart from Derby the competing clubs I perceive to be less attractive than us (less likley to get into the prem) so if any of this is true there has to be a chance we will get him.
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rikksow added 09:12 - May 8 Paul Jewell should take Aaron Creswell along with him when he goes to speak with this lad. Cressie would be able to spell out what it is like here and what has happened to him since he signed in similar circumstances.
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itfcluke95 added 09:13 - May 8 peters couldnt handle him in the carling cup at the start of the season!
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bluearmy78 added 09:13 - May 8 Has been the Cobblers player of the season for the last 2 years, not bad considering he only turned professional 2 years ago!!
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