TWTD understands that the Blues are among a host of clubs chasing the signature of former Crewe Alexandra central defender Madjid Bougherra. Blackburn, Bolton, Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday, Crystal Palace, Leeds and Stoke are also in the hunt for the Algerian international.

Bougherra, 23, made a huge impact in his recent loan spell with Crewe from French second division side Gueugnon, making 11 appearances and scoring one goal after joining in January. The relegated Railwaymen were keen to extend the French-born Algerian's stay at Gresty Road but his impressive form had already alerted bigger clubs.

Capped eight times at full level, Bougherra is keen to stay in English football but has a year left on his contract with Gueugnon and is likely to cost a fee in the low hundred-thousands.

The 6ft 3in tall defender, who joined Gueugnon from Dijon in 2003/04, enjoyed an excellent relationship with Alex fans even after announcing his intention to leave at the end of the season and showed his appreciation by applauding them long after his team-mates had returned to the dressing room at the end of his final appearance at Leeds last month.

Joe Royle has said on a number of occasions that he wants to sign a central defender in his early 20s to provide competition for Richard Naylor and Jason De Vos, with more experience than youngster Chris Casement. Bougherra appears to fit that bill.

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