Blues boss Paul Jewell says he’s not made a bid for Derby’s Steve Davies and hints that he may have decided to look elsewhere for a new frontman. The Town manager is hopeful that his fourth signing of the summer might be close, although wouldn’t confirm whether that player was a striker.

Jewell said: “No, [there’s been no bid made for Davies]. I spoke to Nigel Clough yesterday to tell him that at the end of the day we have other targets. There’s a lot been said. We’re hopeful of getting certainly one in pretty quickly.”

The Town boss wouldn’t be drawn on whether that player was definitely a striker but outlined where he is looking to strengthen: “We’re going to need a big centre forward, someone who is going to give us a bit of physicality up front, and then the same in the middle of the park.

“We’re at least two players light to just give us that bit of presence and that’s where we’re looking to strengthen.”

West Ham’s Sam Baldock, who we reported was on Jewell’s wish list back in May, is again being linked, although the former MK Dons man is a more diminutive frontman than the type of player the Blues boss says he is aiming to add to his squad.

Derby are believed to want a fee of £1 million for Davies, who Jewell brought to Pride Park from Tranmere when manager of the Rams. The Blues are understood to be unwilling to make an offer of that magnitude.

Davies has confirmed he'll be leaving Derby in the summer for family reasons with a switch to club in the south his preferred option.

Photo: Action Images

PauloJulio added 23:29 - Jul 19 only two players light? Make that four at least in my opinion!
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Mr_Evans added 23:31 - Jul 19 I think Jewell has probably been able to speak to Davies with Derby's consent but a £1,000,000 is a lot of money for him! I don't think town should pay anymore than £800,000. Simon Cox at WBA is a player who would certainly be worth a £1,000,000 transfer fee!! He's who I would go for!!
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Sindre94 added 23:32 - Jul 19 the other one is baldock.
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StowTractorBoy added 23:44 - Jul 19 We need a six foot plus target man not average height players like Cox who is in the same mould as Chopra. Every high ball that comes in is rarely won by Chopra hence PJs desire for a big striker. Would still like Baldock as well though as he is a tireless worker knows where the net is. Am sure PJ will sort it.
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bluey420 added 23:47 - Jul 19 It's 100% S.Baldock season long loan with a view too signing permanently next summer my v reliable source is pretty muchly sure this deal is going 2 happen: he got Hewlett, Chambers, n told me we would b signing a GK this week right
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aeldun added 23:49 - Jul 19 From Jewell's description of the current coveted striker, Baldock doesn't seem a candidate, unless there are 2 strikers on the horizon. The Wickham shout seems a more plausible one for the big centre forward.
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Len_Brennan added 23:52 - Jul 19 I would imagine that PJ's comments are more for the Derby decision makers than us fans. The clear policy in 2012 has been to pay as little in transfer fees as possible, and it has been successful to a certain degree. Handing over £1m+ now for a player with a poor injury record would undermine the whole strategy of presenting Ipswich as a club who will not pay out "silly money" (anymore). I reckon he still hopes to get Davies for £500k, but maybe with add ons based on appearances. The player we are close to signing must be a central midfielder with presence so, judging by his comments above. Back in for Moussi or Henry perhaps? Bad news for Hyam if so.

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jeera added 23:58 - Jul 19 “We're at least two players light to just give us that bit of presence and that's where we're looking to strengthen.” Nope PauloJulio, he clearly didn't say 'only two players light'. He said 'at least'...What do you get out of inventing stuff the manager says?
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Len_Brennan added 00:03 - Jul 20 I see a report elsewhere suggesting that Bluey420 & Sindre are spot on. A forward line of any 2 from Chopra, Scotland, Baldock & hopefully Davies sounds pretty darn tasty to me. Add in JET & Murray and our striking options look excellent at this level.
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tim added 00:08 - Jul 20 1 word: Connor Wickham
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KiwiBlue2 added 00:12 - Jul 20 I also think Baldock will be one of them. Ipswich's lack of physical presence was one of the few things that I agreed with Keane about. With regard to the midfield height is not as important, I would be looking for a muscle bound terrior who is a master of controlled aggresion and a tiger in the tackle who can frighten opponents within the rules of the game.
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jeera added 00:14 - Jul 20 Len, you see 'A report'?. It's hardly something these two have broken to the world. It's reported and they don't have the decency to credit the reporters. Feck me, even the Green'un have it. Not exactly inside info. It's all about "Look at me". Bluey can't even spell 'to' for pity's sake.
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Ole_Pablo_Ole added 00:19 - Jul 20 Why is everyone saying Baldock? It clearly isn't going to be him as he isn't a big centre forward. I feel sorry for PJ as nobody seems to fully listen to what he says. It sounds like Wickham is much more likely to be the player he is talking about. However, his manager said he was going to wait until the end of pre-season to judge him so it is probably someone completely different all together.

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KiwiBlue2 added 00:25 - Jul 20 Also agree with Tim that Connor on a season long loan would also be fine, especially as he gives some height. If he is not available I would still be happy with Chopra, Baldock, Scotland and Murray. Beyond that I would like a midfielder of the type I outlined earlier to be a partner to a creative Bullard or Drury and a further right sided centre half who is strong in all defensive aspects. Given those additions I would be confident that we can make an impact in the coming season with a bit of cash left in the kitty for appropriate additions in January.......

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TractorBoy666 added 00:26 - Jul 20 http://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/ipswich-town/transfer_rumour_paul_jewell_reignites_i Sounds like he's has a good pre-season so far.
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bluey420 added 00:27 - Jul 20 When has TWTD become university challenge or countdown if I want (2) use txt speak I will doesn't mean I can't spell when posts become a English exam I'll change until then I'll use whatever language & short-hand I want (2) some people need too get a life
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rosseden added 00:28 - Jul 20 the £1m for Cox is way off the mark...... Blackburn are hopeful of completing a £2.5m deal for West Brom striker Simon Cox, 25. As published earlier this week in the press.......
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KiwiBlue2 added 00:34 - Jul 20 I agree Bluey , who cares as long as it is comprehensible ...... Jewell has been interested in Baldock for a considerable time so I would be very surprised if he is not at least one of the two. One striker and one further quality right sided centre back would satisfy me.
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Tractorog added 01:38 - Jul 20 PJ wants a big target centre forward. ....It's Andy Carroll :-)
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not_a_witty_name added 02:26 - Jul 20 Nah, Peter Crouch. We've missed a big centre-forward with a signature goal celebration since Kuqi left.
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peaky69 added 03:11 - Jul 20 Don't be surprised if the player signing soon is Kourouma and the striker is still a work in progress.
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DiamondGezzer added 05:20 - Jul 20 peaky69 : I'd forgotten about him.
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bigolconnor added 05:51 - Jul 20 Bluey. It's to.
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ericgates added 06:04 - Jul 20 I think we missed out a little with that Futacs joining Leicester this week on a free from Portsmouth. A 6 ft 5 beast up front in order to mix things up and add a bit of physicality, would have been good, because we are a bit lightweight in the attacking third. With the signings we have made so far,I trust PJ has a better ace up his sleeve.
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bedsitfc added 06:07 - Jul 20 jay bothroyd has been in talks with an un-named club???
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