Swindon Town have given two of the four sides targeting Sam Parkin permission to talk to the striker. TWTD understands that the Blues are one of those clubs, while Watford have already spoken to the Roehampton-born frontman.

Parkin has a clause in his Swindon contract which means that he is free to talk to interested parties should they lodge a bid above a certain level, thought to be £500,000.

Yesterday, we reported that the 24-year-old former Chelsea trainee was Joe Royle's primary target as a replacement for the departing Shefki Kuqi.

Swindon's reported price-tag of £700,000 seemed likely to be beyond the Blues, however, if the fee is a lower figure, then the former Millwall, Oldham, Wycombe and Northampton loanee would be within Joe Royle's budget, although the deal could come close to exhausting Town's summer war chest.

Parkin, 6ft 2in tall, says he will take his time before deciding where his future lies, with Norwich also interested. Brighton and Crewe have cooled in their interest now that a number of the Championship's bigger clubs are in the running.

Watford still look to be the frontrunners but Parkin may well see a switch to Portman Road as a better move.

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