Town are hoping to complete the signing of Brentford midfielder Jonathan Douglas before the weekend. The 33-year-old has another year left on his Bees contract but has been made available and we understand he will join the Blues on a free transfer.

With the clubs believed to have agreed terms on the deal, Douglas is expected at Portman Road today for talks and a medical with the Blues hoping that the move will be finalised prior to Saturday’s opening game of the Championship season, coincidentally against the Bees at Griffin Park.

Monaghan-born Douglas moved to England in 2000 when he joined Blackburn Rovers. While at Ewood Park he spent time on loan at Chesterfield, Blackpool and Gillingham before moving on to Leeds in 2005.

After four years at Elland Road, the 6ft tall holding midfielder moved to Swindon before he joined Brentford in 2011.

Douglas, who has been capped eight times by the Republic of Ireland, signed a new contract with the Bees in February but is not in new manager Marinus Dijkhuizen's plans and last month he was told he could move on.

"He is not part of the squad and is training separately. There is no future for him," Dijkhuizen told BBC London.

"We decided it is better for him to move on - for his future and for the future of Brentford."

Last season Douglas made 46 starts and scored eight goals as the Bees finished fifth in the Championship, one place above Town.

Last week, the Blues missed out on signing another Brentford player, Northern Irish winger Stuart Dallas, who is set to join Leeds United in a £1.25 million deal.

Elsewhere, ex-Blues striker Connor Wickham has completed his £9 million move from Sunderland to Crystal Palace. The fee is reportedly an initial £6 million potentially rising to the higher figure after top-up clauses.

If the fee is as reported Town won't immediately receive anything from the sell-on clause - an undisclosed percentage of any profit - included in the 2011 deal which saw the 22-year-old join the Black Cats.

Wickham moved for an initial £8.1 million with a number of appearance milestones understood to have been triggered during his time on Wearside.

Photo: Action Images

Jimmy86 added 15:17 - Aug 3 Would be a good addition as he knows the championship inside out and at 33 has bags of experience. Scoring 8 goals from a defensive midfield position is an added bonus too. Squad is shaping up very nicely. Doesn't matter if he's on a free, we have picked up some decent free signings. Think we do need a right back, unless Emmanuel can make the position his own. Not really had a marquee signing as yet, just decent solid performers. Be interesting to see the calibre of loanee's we look to bring in, once Prem squads have announces their 25. Personally I'd bid for Jonniesta.

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ElderGrizzly added 15:18 - Aug 3 All these comments saying we need a RB still? Our own manager says he has faith in Emmanuel, we have Chambers who is more than competent there and Parr to play there too. And Douglas is a superb signing. Great player for Bishop to learn from and a goal scoring central midfielder. Good work by the club
7

kozmik added 15:21 - Aug 3 looks like he scored more goals last season than the whole of our midfield
6

TractorRoyNo1 added 15:22 - Aug 3 I think this confirms Hy'm is out until Xmas and we need cover for Skues
2

hampstead_blue added 15:23 - Aug 3 I hope he has a good shave first. This whole 'hipster' thing is tired.
0

Sparky85 added 15:27 - Aug 3 Free, experienced, plays football on the deck and scored more goals than any of our midfielders last year..... whats not to like!! My only question (and in no way is this negative) but where are all of these midfielders going to fit in? MM certainly does have some selection dilemmas! Happy days Plus, for those who said our squad is not much stronger than last year. The team Vs Fulham had Bajner, Tabb and Hewitt starting with Wordsworth, Henshall, Marriot and Nouble on the bench... 5 of which are now playing league 1 and below.

5

SamWhiteUK added 15:28 - Aug 3 Not sure it's been kept quiet... The article says we want to complete the deal by the weekend.... it's currently Monday.... Be happy if it comes off though.
1

essexbluey added 15:28 - Aug 3 Great free signing he has at least 2 good seasons left. Iam looking forward to this season.
2

Lightningboy added 15:29 - Aug 3 Solid signing..will do a decent job this season alongside Skuse.
1

jpring89 added 15:29 - Aug 3 You can be a good player at 33 just because he's not 21 and cost 10 million. Good signing
5

Michael11 added 15:31 - Aug 3 Really happy with this signing if it happens! Adds experience and steel to a quite soft midfield. He also has an eye for a goal which is important.
4

BlueSwede added 15:35 - Aug 3 This would be great. He can do a really good job for us. And Brentford clearly rated him earlier this year when they offered him a new contract in February. Very pleased if this will be done. Now I only wait for us to sign Stephen Kelly at rightback.
3

StowTractorBoy added 15:38 - Aug 3 This guy has always been a thorn in our side and was outstanding for Brentford at Portman Road last season. He works like a Trojan and puts his foot in where it matters. This will be a great signing if it comes off. Those of you worrying about his age well age is a piece of paper.
8

Marcus added 15:41 - Aug 3 We just need him to score on his debut. Who are we playing next? Hehe
2

BlueandTruesince82 added 15:41 - Aug 3 Don't think its money ball tactics at all. Not Micks style, if we were the statistics wouldn't be saying sign this fella at 33. Mick is canny enough to use all tools at his disposal, IE use the scouting system to identify potential players to look at but then as with Knudesen, we go and look at them and that is where gut comes in. Micks gut says sign him, he can do a job. Interesting Mick crucified for not brining in players, now he is some people want to crucify him for that too. Only happy when it rains! The guy scored more than our entire MF last year, Warbuton clearly wanted to keep him and I trust him more than Ronaldo Manageririo that they have in charge now. Bees owner has had a melt down if you ask me. Think they are going to struggle, hope I'm wrong as they are a nice little club

3

runningout added 15:41 - Aug 3 goodun
1

BlueTich added 15:46 - Aug 3 Absolutely pathetic, MM having wasted the whole summer, now running round like a headless chicken signing anything that's free, Irish and over 30. Like an old granny at a jumble sale.
-25

Palestine added 15:48 - Aug 3 Cool! So just a RB (and ideally a top quality keeper) and we must be a good shout for top 2/4/6, and maybe playing slightly better football too?
2

BlueandTruesince82 added 15:56 - Aug 3 We've added Knudsen 22/23 NM Teenage, Fraser, 23 Coke 29, Pitman 27, Toure 31 and Hopefully this fella 33, I count a total of 1 Irishman and 2 over 30. I think the only pathetic thing I see here is a failure to check facts before spouting rhetoric, rather like a politician. Now that's pathetic.
14

MeenoITFC added 15:57 - Aug 3 This would be a sensational signing. WHAT IS WRONG WITH SOME TOWN FANS?? are you deluded? how could this possibly be a bad transfer. Better than most midfield we have + no funds needed.
4

topguy added 16:01 - Aug 3 Age I wont hear of it doesn't matter, you got van persie and Ronaldo, both about 18 months youngers than him playing at top lvl, im not comparing but if you can play you can be better at 33 than at 22 as you have exp that they will not have.
1

Gruffalo added 16:04 - Aug 3 "Wooah, he looks like the Messiah...he drives a big tractaar!"
1

SamWhiteUK added 16:05 - Aug 3 BlueTich, fine, I'll bite. You've commented twice on the same post, both negative, seemingly with the intention of attracting as many downvotes as possible. Tell me, what is the point? Is it REALLY fun for you? You've made about 10 comments in your whole time on the site, and none offer a hint of knowledge on any subject, or indeed a sign that you possess a brain. Please, give it a rest. Phil/Gav, you must be able to implement a system where accounts are banned/suspended if they receive a majority of negative votes in X comments?

1

Beattiesballbag added 16:05 - Aug 3 Obvious replacement instead of Skuse............hopefully? or are we going to play with three holding midfield players, Skuse Coke & Douglas! Probably start with Skuse or Coke on Sat then Douglas will come on in the second half & score against his old team! Hopefully this seasons midfield will be Niles, Douglas, Fraser with McGoldrick sat just behind Murphy, Sears or Pitman ....................just like the old days 3,1, 2...................sorry wishful thinking!

0

SamWhiteUK added 16:06 - Aug 3 Report for spam as opposed to abuse would be nice as well.
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