Town face stiff opposition for Tomasz Kuszczak’s signature with Spurs, QPR, Fulham, Werder Bremen and even Bayern Munich all reported to also be showing interest in the out-of-contract Manchester United keeper.
The 30-year-old Pole, who ended the season on loan at Watford, is understood to be top of Paul Jewell’s summer wish list as he looks to add a permanent number one to his squad ahead of the 2012/13 campaign.
At most of those clubs Kuszczak would be the second-choice, as he has been throughout his time at Old Trafford, and the former West Brom man says he wants to play more regularly at this stage of his career: "I have decided to move [from Manchester United] and be a first-choice keeper. I do not want to be a replacement any longer.
"My family like England as much as me," he added. "I think that I know the style of play and I have made my name here. But I have serious options in Germany to consider as well. My agent is working on a possible move to the Bundesliga."
Kuszczak also revealed that he had chances to moved to Aston Villa or rejoin the Baggies last summer.
Birmingham’s Colin Doyle has also been linked with the Blues but was not the keeper Jewell met for talks last Thursday.
Meanwhile, Doncaster midfielder James Coppinger has conceded that he may move on from the relegated Rovers this summer and wouldn’t be averse to relocating to Suffolk if Town renewed last year’s interest: "I think Ipswich is a great club. I have some friends who have played at Ipswich in the past and they speak highly of the club and the place.
"With them being in the Championship and an ambitious club, it is always somewhere you would look to go.”
However, speaking after Saturday’s game, Blues boss Paul Jewell played down the likelihood of Town doing a deal for the 31-year-old, having previously said he’d speak to Rovers manager Dean Saunders about the former Exeter man: "I don’t think so. We’d like good players, he’s a good player, Coppinger, but I don’t think so.”
Elsewhere, former Blues coach and assistant manager John Gorman has decided to retire at the end of the season. Gorman, 62, worked under George Burley and then had a second spell at the club during Jim Magilton’s time in charge. The Scot is currently assisting Karl Robinson at MK Dons.
Photo: Action Images