Town are set to make a £2 million offer for Watford frontman Danny Graham, according to one of this morning’s tabloids. Graham netted 27 goals in all competitions this season, including two against the Blues in a hugely impressive performance as the Hornets won 3-0 at Portman Road in March.
The 25-year-old has previously been linked with Newcastle United and QPR with a number of Premier League scouts watching him in action in the game against Town and throughout the season.
Gateshead-born Graham started his career with non-league Chester-Le-Street Town before moving on to Middlesbrough in 2003. During his time at the Riverside Graham spent spells on loan at Darlington, Derby, Leeds, Blackpool and Carlisle.
Seven goals in 11 games in the second half of the 2006/07 season led to a permanent switch to the Cumbrians that summer, the 6ft 1in tall striker signing a two-year deal.
In July 2009 at the end of that contract Graham joined Watford for a tribunal set fee of £200,000 rising to £550,000 after various clauses were met. Carlisle are also entitled to 15% of an profit made if the Hornets sell Graham, who scored 33 goals in 91 starts and 11 sub appearances during his time as a permanent member of staff at Brunton Park.
Graham signed an initial two-year deal at Vicarage Road, a contract he subsequently extended to the summer of 2012 with a further option for another season.
The one-time England U20 cap’s form this season in particular has caught the eye — he was named in the PFA Championship Team of the Year - and overall for Watford he has scored 41 goals in 87 full appearances and 11 games from the bench.
Tweeting about reported interest in him last week, Graham said nothing had happened so far: "There is stuff in the press about moves, don’t believe it until I tell you all. I am under contract.”
Town manager Paul Jewell is very much in the market for a striker, having had an offer of £2.3 million for Doncaster’s Billy Sharp rejected last week, however, the Blues are likely to be outsiders for Graham's signature if Premier League clubs firm up their interest.