Boss Paul Jewell has revealed that Town have made an unsuccessful offer for Millwall midfielder James Henry. The Blues manager has also confirmed that he had targeted Nottingham Forest holding midfielder Guy Moussi, who committed his future to his current club yesterday, and that he made an enquiry regarding Cardiff’s Peter Whittingham, who Welsh sources linked with the Blues over the weekend.

Jewell had previously revealed that an offer for a winger had been turned down and says a new attempt to sign Henry was rebuffed by the Lions yesterday: “We had a bid for James Henry turned down by Millwall. That was the second bid we’ve put in.

“It’s been rejected by Millwall and they’ve told us he’s not for sale, so that’s probably dead that one, so we’re looking elsewhere.”

Henry, 22, plays either on the right or in the centre of midfield and began his career with hometown club Reading, during which time he spent spells on loan at Nottingham Forest, Norwich and twice with Millwall.

A deadball expert, Henry netted a hat-trick against a Tranmere side including new Town signing Aaron Cresswell in October 2009 during his second period on loan with the Lions.

In July 2010, he made his switch to the Den permanent for an undisclosed fee, having made only 10 starts and eight sub appearances for the Royals, scoring four goals, all in the Carling Cup.

The 6ft 1in tall midfielder, who has played for England’s U18s and U19s and Scotland’s U19s, who he qualifies via his parents, signed a three-year deal at Millwall last summer and made 43 starts and three sub appearances during 2010/11, netting five goals.

Jewell also confirmed that the Blues were, as reported last week, interested in signing 26-year-old French holding midfielder Guy Moussi, who signed a new three-year deal with his current club Nottingham Forest yesterday, having previously been out of contract: “We thought we were going to sign Guy Moussi but he’s ended up signing for Forest. He was one we were in for.

“There are a couple of others that we’re in for, but we’ve managed to keep most of them quiet, which is a great thing. I’m not being secretive about it, but that’s what we try and do and when it gets done you’ll be the first to know.”

Moussi committing to Forest means Steve McClaren’s club appear less likely to sign veteran free agent George Boateng, who has trained with both Town and the Tricky Trees during this pre-season.

Jewell gave little away regarding the 35-year-old former Dutch international: “George trained with us for three days. He just came in and trained with us and he did OK.

“We are after another midfield player that we’ve spoken about for a while. We know we need a centre-half, a midfield player, and we’re looking for another striker and another winger, so that tells you that we want competition for places in the team. We know that we’ve got to get better.”

Boateng, who had previously said he had not yet decided whether he would play for “reds or blues”, tweeted last night that he will soon reveal his new club: “I had a crazy day today but it all ended good and I will have some good news to announce tomorrow.”

Jewell also confirmed that he had made an enquiry regarding Cardiff midfielder Peter Whittingham, who was linked with the Blues over the weekend: “We asked and were told he wasn’t for sale. We have asked about Peter, but again we’ve been knocked back on that one.”

Meanwhile, the Blues boss says Town are being careful with new central defender Ívar Ingimarsson, who is still to play a game during pre-season: “He’s been doing some fitness work but we’re aware he’s got a thigh strain. It’s a difficult one because if we push him too much and he tears it, he’ll be out for a long time.”

A Town XI — which is likely to include Jaime Peters, Luciano Civelli, Shane O’Connor, Ronan Murray and Joe Whight — is in action against Bury Town at Ram Meadow this evening (KO 7.45pm).

Photo: Action Images

BROTHERBLUE1974 added 08:03 - Jul 20 Keep trying jewell, go back in for whittingham I think. Any news about a right back it centre half???
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pazelle added 08:07 - Jul 20 Hmm, we need scouts outside of the UK.
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stickymockwell added 08:07 - Jul 20 Shame about Whittingham! Cardiff would be mad to sell him to a championship rival.
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Leoipswich added 08:08 - Jul 20 im sure we will get some signings soon. just i cant wait! ;D
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Back_The_Boss added 08:16 - Jul 20 He is certainly targeting the right players, all of whom would be excellent additions. Shame that there is no pen to paper just yet though.
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MartinS added 08:19 - Jul 20 I'm pleased that we are looking at the right sort of players in Moussi, Henry and Whittingham. They may be proving to be over-ambitious targets but PJ has the right idea and if he keeps pursuing players of the same calibre some of them will come off.
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TractorMan added 08:21 - Jul 20 Unusual for Jewell to go public like this on failed signings. I can see this as unsettling Henry in particular so to ask for a transfer?
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northdevonblue added 08:32 - Jul 20 would have been happy with any of these, i would like to know if we are putting in realistic bids or are clubs holding out for more money from us. if they are good bids then walk away dont over-pay for anyone.
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JimmyJazz added 08:37 - Jul 20 PJ is probably only going public to explain the comments over a week ago about a winger. Sounds like we might end up with Boateng?
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Ipswich24 added 08:37 - Jul 20 I just wish we could have some news of a player actually signing I think we should go all out for Whiitingham but I dont understand why we are not in for Tracey I think its probably because he is going else where.
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riley26 added 08:40 - Jul 20 Sounds like we were close to getting Moussi, would have been a good addition. Henry seems a decent player but again that seems unlikely. At least he knows what we need and isn't intimating that we would be fine without signings, shows ambition and rationality.
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Keaneish added 08:49 - Jul 20 Made some good signings and inquiring about the right type of players but the pressure's on, we're still quite short! CB and another MD are musts before the season starts.
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Tillz9 added 08:58 - Jul 20 I am hoping Treacy is one that he has managed to keep quiet
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Bluetone added 09:12 - Jul 20 I agree with Pazelle we need scouts outside the UK
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SouperJim added 09:19 - Jul 20 Seems likely that Boateng will sign today then. Hope there's still a chance we could sign Whittingham, even if he's "not for sale".
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LancsBlue added 09:20 - Jul 20 There is a great deal that goes on behind the scenes. Potential selling clubs know we have money and will (quite understandably) try to get as much as possible out of us. Some clubs, like Sheffield United, desperately need rid of players on high wages. Others, like Millwall have to show their own fans that they are trying to hold on to their better players. It's cat and mouse really, however there are only a limited number of buying clubs in the Championship, so as time goes on and the deadline approaches, selling clubs will be more willing to relent and do a deal on our terms. Those of you wanting instant signings may be disappointed, those of us that want the right signings should expect to wait a while.

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the_toff added 09:23 - Jul 20 As MartinS rightly says, keep aiming high PJ and some are bound to come off, it's a numbers game! Many wouldn't have expected us to sign Chopra or Bowyer but we pulled off 2 excellent signings there in my opinion. Similarly Bullard last season. Jewell is really looking to sign quality which is great to see, long may it continue! I'm not sure we need a striker if Priskin and Scotland are staying. The priority HAS to be a winger and a CB with a central midfielder also. In a dream world we would sign Nosworthy, Bullard and Whittingham but i can't see it happening.

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tingey18 added 09:27 - Jul 20 I'd love to see whittingham sign I think that would be great business. I'm not sure about the Bullard circumstances but if we don't break the bank he'd be great for us. The other striker must be sharpe? And well the CB who knows
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dirtydingusmagee added 09:28 - Jul 20 Come to Town boys .......you know you want to !COYB
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BlakeyBlue added 09:32 - Jul 20 Whicham was "not for sale" and we still sold him so u never know. I know u don't want to pay silly money just cos we've got it but I'm sure another half million on whittingham etc would eventually do the trick + get the the players minds ticking abit. Got a good feeling bout next season.... COYB!!!!
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GreenwichBlue added 09:51 - Jul 20 There are about 4,000 professional active footballers registered at the PFA. There are over 50,000 registered with FIFPro. Plenty of players outside England to look at.
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jas0999 added 09:51 - Jul 20 Promising that we are targeting these type of players BUT we need to get players in! George Boateng is certainly not the answer and would be a disappointing signing if we now end up with him after looking at players of a far higher calibre. After watching us struggle at Cambridge last night, George Boateng is not required - we need pacey creative players, another striker and serious strengthening at the back. Still at least 4 players away from making a realistic challenge and just 2.5 weeks to kick off. Come on ITFC!

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hucks216 added 10:01 - Jul 20 There is still plenty of time to sign players as the transfer window doesn't close for another 40-odd days and as these rebuffs show, things are going on behind the scenes all the time that people outside of the club are not aware of. While it would be great to get all the players we need in before the start of the season it rarely works that way and we already have enough new players to integrate as it is so if it takes until the end of the transfer window to bring in the right players then so be it. I'm not surprised that Cardiff have said that Whittingham isn't for sale considering that during the summer they have lost Bellamy, Chopra & Boothroyd from their strike force and receiving only £1.5m in return (and even that might well of gone straight to Sunderland).

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Tractamatt added 10:02 - Jul 20 I have spoken to people who saw boateng play last season and they all rate him so i'm on the fence on that one.Bullard, Whittingham and moussi are not coming to portman road so we just move on but does anyone know whats happened to the koumas link it just stopped.
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Lightningboy added 10:11 - Jul 20 Starting to get slightly worried that we're not going to be anywhere near good enough at this rate..don't get me wrong,i'm happy with Chopra,Cresswell,Bowyer and Ingimarsson (if fit - not convinced about Ellington). We still need 3 probably 4 decent signings to make any sort of progress next season..easier said than done sadly..shame ME doesn't seem to be giving PJ the sort of cash he threw at Keane.

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