Town are continuing to be linked with a move for ex-Wolves central defender Christophe Berra. The Blues were reported to have been in advanced talks with the 28-year-old early last week.

Towns and at least one other club are understood to have offered terms to the Scottish international, who was linked with Rangers earlier in the summer.

Questioned about his interest in Berra last week, manager Mick McCarthy admitted that he’d like him at Portman Road but felt money might be an issue: “He’s a free transfer and he’s a really good defender, Christophe.

"If I could sign him, I’d be delighted. Whether we can afford to sign him, because he’ll have other offers, he’s a good player.

“But I like him, I signed him [for Wolves], for heaven’s sake, I paid £2 million for him and he helped get us promoted and helped keep us up for two seasons as well.”

The Blues are very much in the market for one probably two centre-halves with Tommy Smith and Luke Chambers the only central defenders currently on the staff.

Since the initial reports regarding Town’s offer to Berra broke, the Blues have taken a number of defenders on trial, including Titus Bramble, ex-Manchester United youngster Frederic Veseli and Tottenham’s Bongani Khumalo.

Talks are ongoing regarding a season-long loan for Khumalo, while McCarthy has been impressed with Veseli, who played at right-back at Gillingham on Tuesday.

Edinburgh-born Berra came through the youth system at Hearts and broke into the senior side in the 2003/04 season.

Capped 27 times by Scotland, scoring twice, Berra joined Mick McCarthy’s Wolves in January 2009. The 6ft 3in tall defender went on to make 149 starts and five sub appearances while at Molineux without scoring.

Berra, whose father is French, had been expected to move back to Scotland to join Rangers but, speaking earlier in the month, Gers’ boss Ally McCoist confirmed that that move wouldn’t happen: “The deal for Berra is off. I think he is going to go to a Championship club.”

Photo: Action Images

londonben added 12:59 - Jul 18 I genuinely can't remember the last time we had real strength in depth at centre back and now we are being linked to at least 3 quality options to go with our established pairing...got to love big mick! COYB!
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hampstead_blue added 13:03 - Jul 18 A good signing. I'm not sure Chambers is good enough, he's good, but if we want to get promoted we need a better CB than he. Bera could well be that quality player we need alongside Smith.
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Robbie12345 added 13:08 - Jul 18 Woaahh sooo many options! Would be happy with any and Micky will make the right choices, Berra, Wooton, Bramble, Veseli and Khumalo, what a list!
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ChrisMakin2012 added 13:25 - Jul 18 Please sign Berra (then we will not need Brumble!)
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martleshamitfc added 13:28 - Jul 18 Bramble will be the most expensive out of these options!
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martleshamitfc added 13:29 - Jul 18 **salary**
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portman23 added 13:38 - Jul 18 Not heard great things from wolves fans on him. Although Mick knows best.... COYB
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DurhamTownFan added 13:46 - Jul 18 Genuinely interested in getting this guy in. With him, Smith and Chambo, that leaves us with three guys who are easily good enough to play in a top championship side. Probably Chambers for right-back then? Can't see any of those three sitting out.
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bohslegend added 13:49 - Jul 18 I think MM wants 3 more defenders. So which 3 from Berra, Bramble, Khumalo and Veseli? Titus is one of our own but would be expensive, the other 3 would be amazing signings if they all came in.
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TotalBlue added 14:28 - Jul 18 I think Micks looking at a good nice line up go for 442 then with 20 min to go if were up take off a striker and go for 541
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Michael11 added 14:44 - Jul 18 Berra/Chambers/Smith/Khumalo would be up there with the best competition for defenders in the league in my opinion. Would love to see Titus come back but McCarthy has already managed Berra so it makes sense to go for better the devil you know.
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ArnieM added 15:07 - Jul 18 Blimey! Any one else starting to think Chambers;Smith could end up being the back up CB's? This Club is starting to resemble the Phoenix in its re-emergence
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floridaboy added 15:22 - Jul 18 Cannot see the club signing Henderson now especially after signing Gerken so might be a starting defence looking something like: Loach Veseli, Berra, Khumalo, Cresswell Lets not forget Smith can also play left back as he did in the last world cup to good effect Really like Veseli as a starting full back. With Anderson in front that is one helluva right side
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FenboyBlue added 15:31 - Jul 18 Berra get a move on, then.
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jas0999 added 17:10 - Jul 18 Would be a good signing and with this chap from Spurs also likely to sign on loan - we are beginning to look good at CB!
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ChrisMakin2012 added 17:52 - Jul 18 . Loach Veseli, Berra, Khumalo, Cresswell With Chambers, Smith and Hewitt on the bench will be a force! no need for error riddled Bramble.
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wychyblue added 18:23 - Jul 18 got to trust MM but living up in the midlands alot of my pals are Wolves fans and are not all that impressed with Berra. In fact one who goes each week has seen him play for how ever many years he's been at the Wolves and he is still unsure as to whether he is right or left footed!! (I think he thinks he's crap with both !!)
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Keaneish added 18:50 - Jul 18 Chrismakin - you're way off the mark if you think MM is going to play three new defenders straight off at the start of the season!!
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sheepdags added 11:15 - Jul 19 Great to get some good back up for Smith and Chambers but hope we keep these two as first choice after they developed such a good partnership last season.
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karls_dad added 08:25 - Jul 20 This is all making sense, its Big Micks policy of being hard to beat! a really strong back line with plenty of strength in reserve, I feel he may move for one more striker, Taylor will not be risked too early, and i doubt we will see him until mid season, i,m not sure that our present strikers are anything like 20 goal a season playersI I can also see Cressy going now to fund the above. But we should all bow to to MM,s skill and knowledge and let him do what is best and not winge should Cressy go, which i think i think is inevitable one day soon.

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