Town are reported to have made an enquiry to Arsenal regarding the loan availability of central defender Kyle Bartley. The Blues are amongst a number of sides interested in the 20-year-old, who has just signed a new contract with the Gunners.
Bartley, who has also played at right-back, began his career with Bolton Wanderers but moved on to Arsenal in 2007 while still a youth player with Manchester City also having shown interest.
The England U16 and U17 international made his senior debut for the Gunners in a Champions League tie at Olympiacos in December 2009 but is yet to add to his competitive appearances for Arsene Wenger’s side, although he netted an own goal in Sunday’s Emirates Cup defeat to the New York Red Bulls.
A team-mate of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas in Arsenal’s 2009 FA Youth Cup-winning side, Bartley spent the final few months of 2009/10 on loan at Sheffield United, rejoining the Blades at the start of last season.
After the relegation-bound South Yorkshiremen signed Neill Collins from Leeds in January, Bartley decided to move on, joining SPL giants Rangers for the second half of the season. He scored one goal in a nine-game spell which was cut short by a knee ligament injury.
Rangers, however, were impressed with what they saw of the 6ft 3in tall defender and are keen for the Manchester-born player to return to Ibrox this season.
Burnley, Crystal Palace and plenty of other Championship clubs are also believed to be interested in addition to Town, while there may also be Premier League sides ready to offer Bartley the chance to gain experience in the top flight.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who is understood to be a fan of Blues manager Paul Jewell, is keen for Bartley to go out on another loan, presumably at as high a level as possible.
A right-sided central defender is very much on Jewell’s wish list to compete with Ãvar Ingimarsson for the role alongside Damien Delaney or Tommy Smith. Slovenian target Aljaž Struna is primarily a right-back, although also operates in the centre of the defence and at right midfield.