Town and League One Sheffield Wednesday are reported to be fighting it out for the signature of released Wigan midfielder Jason Koumas. The former Wales international was signed by the Blues’ assistant manager Chris Hutchings during his time as boss of the Latics and also by current Owls chief Gary Megson when he was at West Brom.
Having been a youth player at Liverpool, the 31-year-old began his senior career with Tranmere, moving on to the Baggies after four years as a pro at Prenton Park for a fee of £2.25 million in 2002.
After he had been at Cardiff on loan, Hutchings took the Wrexham-born player to Wigan for £5.3 million in July 2007.
His four-year spell at the DW Stadium wasn’t a huge success, the 5ft 10in tall midfielder making only 36 starts and 25 sub appearances, scoring two goals.
Koumas, who was capped 34 times by his country, scoring 10 goals before retiring from international football in 2009, spent last season on loan back at Cardiff but again failed to make a significant impact, scoring two goals in six starts and a further 21 games from the bench.
Earlier today, TWTD Message Board posts claimed Koumas had been spotted with his agent at Portman Road late last week. Other clubs at Championship and League One level are also likely to be interested.
Meanwhile, Doncaster Rovers are reported to have turned down an offer of £2.8 million for striker Billy Sharp from an unnamed Championship club. That side is unlikely to be the Blues, who had an earlier £2.3 million offer rebuffed, with manager Paul Jewell having ruled out a renewed move for the former Sheffield United man.
Elsewhere, Dundee United winger Craig Conway, claimed to be a Town target by Scottish papers towards the end of the season, has joined Cardiff City on a three-year deal.
And finally, former Town striker Neil Woods has been appointed head of youth development at Walsall.