SPL champions Rangers are reported to be ready to make a move for Town central defender Gareth McAuley, who we also understand is interesting a Premier League side. The 30-year-old, who joined the Blues from Leicester City in 2008 for £1.1 million, was recently named the Supporters Club Player of the Year.

The Northern Irish international started 2009/10 poorly and looked set to leave Portman Road during the autumn when he lost the captaincy, but after switching agent he became more settled at the club and formed a more solid partnership with Damien Delaney during the latter half of the season.

Nevertheless, manager Roy Keane has rarely seemed entirely convinced by his central defensive pairing and may be willing to allow McAuley, who has a year left on his Town contract, to depart for the right price, probably significantly more than the £500,000 claimed this morning.

We understand the club has also received interest from a Premier League side for the ex-Lincoln City man.

Meanwhile, Town are still to comment on Tottenham’s £5 million offer for Connor Wickham, while we understand Stoke have firmed up their long-standing interest in skipper Jon Walters by making a formal offer, although the fee is unlikely to be at the £4 million mark previously reported.

Elsewhere, Football League clubs have voted to accept the increase in parachute payments for relegated clubs, which Town manager Roy Keane recently said would make promotion harder for established Championship sides.

Photo: Action Images

joe9087 added 09:03 - May 11 I wanted him out at the start of the season, but he really improved as the season went on. I think he should be kept if possible, at least to see if his good form continues up until christmas. I bet he'd be tempted by Rangers or a Premier League side though.....still, it's just speculation at the moment!
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ashleylewis10 added 09:04 - May 11 It would be a disaster if we lost McAuley now. He is one of 3/4 players first on the team sheet in my opinion and his partenrship with Delaney is one of the few positives we have taken out of this season. I think we should hold out and offer him the captaincy back next season. Quality defender at this level and would be impossible to replace for 1.1 mill
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Blueknight85 added 09:05 - May 11 id Swap McAuley for Kris Boyd or Neil Alexander then run away laughing and rubbing my hands together. Not sure of who i would replace him with though theres quite a few good CB's floating about
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Vic added 09:06 - May 11 I'd like to think that those who make decisions at the club are not tempted by these offers. We have to build on and around these key players by adding those who will compliment them; we simply must not sell them. I have confidence that for all the inevitable speculation and discussion this is little but paper talk and we've nothing to worry about. It bodes well for the standard of players we're gradually gathering together as the core of our team that prem teams are even interested in them.

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PimsNumber1 added 09:15 - May 11 blueknight , like who ? who is a realistic target we could get at PR for say 1 mill who is better or equal to mc A ?
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ITFC1985 added 09:18 - May 11 He has to stay, probably our best player this season after a horrendous start, why break up a fairly solid defensive pair??
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blueblood66 added 09:21 - May 11 it wouldn't be a disaster to lose him..he is decent but not exceptional and replaceable.
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StowTractorBoy added 09:22 - May 11 I will be furious if Keano lets him go as he and Delaney together turned our season if you can call it that and are the foundation for next season. I really hate this time of the year when speculation is abound. All we need is a top striker a full back and a midfield player who is preferably left footed a craftsman and has some pace.
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tractorboybig added 09:24 - May 11 blueblood66. Every player we have is replaceable.
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Superfrans added 09:37 - May 11 After the World Cup, Tommy Smith will come back a different player. Rangers - £3m and McAuley's yours...
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Papa added 09:53 - May 11 McAuley and Delaneys partnership were one of the only bright spots of the season. Break that and you will have nothing to build upon.
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corshamblue added 09:54 - May 11 If there's much better CB's available why are Rangers & Prem team chasing our 'average' McAuley - We need to keep the nucleus of the squad together and for me thats both our current CB's - It's good that interest is there, it shows he's had a decent season; and he has! COYB
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Lightningboy added 10:05 - May 11 Just when I thought things couldn't get anymore shambolic........
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PimsNumber1 added 10:07 - May 11 Yes i would sell for 3 mill as someone commented. as for smith the WC will do him some good but he isnt good enough to replace delaney or mc A by a long long way.
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bluebare added 10:07 - May 11 if the price is right all players are for sale, and he was 1 of the culprits for our bad start to the season. it was only delany moving alongside him that made him look good and perform as he should. i see jamie clapham is available
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ITFC1985 added 10:13 - May 11 was he one of the culprits for a bad start? id consider most of the team as culprits for a bad start, Delaney only improved when moved to center back with McAuley they improved each others game, i agree all players have a price but we need to keep our better players if we sell then its back to square one and a probably 15th place finish next season
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petermorris added 10:32 - May 11 McAuley had a bad start because the rest of the defence were a shambles with a shakie goalie behind him. If our owner is serious about promotion, he should be shelling out on quality 3 & 5+ million quid players, not getting rid of the ones we have got.
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SouperJim added 10:56 - May 11 I can't see that there will be any pressure on us to part with our best players, that includes McAuley, Walters and Wickham, unless the offer is too good to turn down. At least it's encouraging that we have players on our books who are attracting serious premier league interest.
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asamink added 11:12 - May 11 I agree with corshamblue. If there are better players out there why are thety trying to get McAuley (but it could be just paper talk). If we are to progress we need to have some continuity, otherwise the start of next season could be the same as last season.
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bluearmy77 added 11:29 - May 11 I'll drive him up there!!
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Manchesterblue added 11:42 - May 11 Mmmm that's an interesting one, although I am not McAuley's biggest fan I don't want to see the same old excuses of players needing time to settle. I do think there are better CB out there and would prob take the 500k and run
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Strider added 12:09 - May 11 I confess that i wanted him to leave after that dismal start to the season and he was less than convincing under Jim. But he really turned it around and won me over this year so i'd like to see him stay. I think Delaney's form probably helped him alot and the story about changing agents is interesting. Now that he's settled we should try and get another good year out of him rather than bringing another in and having to play them from the start. I rate Tommy and he'll be a great CB but we need another wise old head in there

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onlybluesandhorses added 12:13 - May 11 McAuley finished the season as (fans') player of the year and part of a solid defence. He recovered from Keane destroying his confidence after the first game. With Keane as manager he would be mad not to leave. His case is just symptomatic of having a manager (and also a CEO and owner) who haven't a clue. He would clearly be a good player to keep. Although the season leaves as in much the same position as a year ago, except millions of pounds lighter, a solid -ish defence is one plus. It would be no surprise for Keane to let McAuley go.

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Guthrum added 12:14 - May 11 Take it as a compliment but no thanks, unless the price-tag is humungous and he actually WANTS to go. Interesting that the improvement apparently came after he changed agent. Further evidence, if needed, that these people's interference (for financial gain) can unsettle otherwise good players.
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billbao added 12:22 - May 11 Rangers haven't signed anyone for 2 years and haven't even got enough money to give their manager a contract, so can't see them making any kind of substantial offer for anyone, let alone an average Championship defender. If a club made an offer of over £1million i'd have no problem seeing McAuley going. He's not particularly mobile and gets caught out by pacey strikers.

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