Blues boss Mick McCarthy believes Town’s search for January recruits could go right to the wire.

So far Town have added striker Kieffer Moore from Forest Green Rovers for £10,000 and free agent right-back Jordan Spence, who had been on trial with the Blues earlier in the season.

On Saturday McCarthy said he had made offers for a number of higher profile players but so far without success.

“We’ve had three or four one million pound-plus bids in for players, but they’ve all been kiboshed,” he said.

“We’re still working on them and trying to do them, but if they’re too expensive I can’t do owt about it.”

The situation remained the same as of yesterday’s press conference with McCarthy believing clubs have been unwilling to allow their players to move on until they’ve brought in new recruits of their own.

“And I also think prices are inflated, no doubt about it, especially in the Championship," McCarthy said.

“[Brentford’s] Scott Hogan, who I think is a really good player and I think would be a good signing [West Ham having been linked], but we’re talking about £15 million.

“How does that process down for every other striker that is wanted or available? Or any other player in the Championship for that matter?

“We’ve seen Jonathan Kodjia go for £15 million [from Bristol City to Aston Villa] and Ross McCormack went for a similar fee. It’s crazy prices, unfortunately.

Does he believe his search for players will drag on and go right to the wire, with the window closing at 11pm on January 31st?

“Yes, I think that will be the case," he added. "I just can’t see it going any other way.

“And it’s the same with loan deals because clubs can’t take anybody else in, there are no emergency loans, that’s really had an effect that, that’s really started to bite.

“I think clubs are going to be very cautious in what they do and if they can’t get players in then they’ll keep the players they’ve got.”

Photo: TWTD

jas0999 added 12:31 - Jan 17 It's the same old I'm afraid and it's not good enough. It would be complete and utter failing on Evans if we yet again land no one of note. Our two signings so far are a non league punt (could be a success or failure) and a very cheap freebie who wasn't deemed good enough in September. After flogging Murphy and failing to replace but with promises of doing so in January I would deem it completely unacceptable if a sizeable fee isn't spent on a replacement. Yet, I wouldn't be surprised and predicted Evans would fail to do the deals.

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mkbobby added 13:37 - Jan 17 we are quite prepared to take these ridiculous offers from other clubs ie 3m for murphy and 18m for mings but not prepared to go the same way smacks of hypocrisy to me
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Suffolk_n_Good added 17:20 - Jan 17 Sorry Jas I down voted by mistake, completely agree with you
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Garv added 17:20 - Jan 17 'I'm prepared to give these lads a chance, but they are not the answer to our already dire squad.' Doesn't sound like it, Suffolk_n_Good?
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heathen66 added 19:12 - Jan 17 I am with many on here We have known from August that we need to replace Murphy (as an absolute minimum) so should have been sorting this before now (Sept - Dec). Come January 1st we should have been dotting the Is and crossing the Ts on deals. Of course you are being knocked back now...that is the game that most clubs play. Clubs are trying to get as much money as they can...it is a fact of life. Perhaps we should do the same instead of accepting a fair offer or paying up our players so they can sign next day for another club. Could Probably have got £5m for Murphy, but that does not matter as we still have not got a replacement. I am happy with the signing of Moore as there are gems in the lower leagues (Lincoln, Portsmouth, Stevenage to mane just 3) , but these signings need to be complemented with proven players. If Moore does not work out then you have not lost a lot, but if it does then it is a win win.

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Suffolk_n_Good added 22:08 - Jan 17 Ok anyone want to say I'm wrong now.....?!?! No..... I thought not.....
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dirtydingusmagee added 09:54 - Jan 19 just sign a new frickin manager.
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dirtydingusmagee added 12:46 - Jan 19 he will prob get se has been on loan at last moment and talk it p to mait look like the sun shines out of his a#se.WELL MICK it dosnt ,and you cant kid anyone anymore go do your droning boring speeches at another club .
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