Birmingham's Njazi Kuqi and Swindon's Sam Parkin are the latest two strikers to be linked with summer moves to Portman Road. Meanwhile, Charlton are reported to be ready to bid £3.5 million for Darren Bent.

The speculation linking Kuqi, the younger brother of Blackburn-targeted Town frontman Shefki, is likely to be based on reports last week which said Steve Bruce will be making the 22-year-old available on loan for 2005/06.

Kuqi junior is yet to make a senior appearance for Birmingham and Bruce is keen for him to gain some experience in English football. Coventry were yesterday reported to be ready to take the striker, signed by Birmingham from FC Lahti in January for £400,000, to the Jaguar Arena.

The younger Kuqi spent time training at Portman Road in December 2003 and impressed boss Joe Royle, although there was no suggestion at the time that Town were interested in signing him.

Swindon's Parkin has been linked with a number of Championship sides including Watford and Hull City.

The former Chelsea trainee has scored 73 goals over the last three seasons and Swindon are desperate for him to extend his stay at the County Ground.

Parkin has a year left on his current contract and the Robins have slapped a £1 million valuation on the 24-year-old, a figure which would almost certainly be beyond the Blues, even if a decent fee is achieved for Darren Bent.

Tabloid reports claim Charlton are ready to offer £3.5 million for Bent, although suggestions that Francis Jeffers could be part of a proposed deal appear to be wide of the mark. Jeffers has a year left on his contract with the Addicks and would have to take a huge pay-cut in order to move to Portman Road.

One player who may interest the Blues is released Arsenal midfielder Olafur-Ingi Skulason. The 22-year-old Iceland midfielder was targeted by the Town academy as a youngster before moving on to Highbury. Skulason is set for trials with Hearts, Groningen, Feyenoord, Perugia and Torino.

Elsewhere, former boss George Burley is set for crisis talks with the Derby board, which includes former Town commercial director Paul Clouting, after allegations of unprofessional conduct earlier this week. Burley categorically refutes any suggestion of wrongdoing, while Derby deny starting an investigation into Burley's behaviour.

Ex-Blue Kieron Dyer has opened talks with Newcastle regarding a new contract with the Magpies. Dyer has another year on his existing deal.

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