Town are amongst a number of Championship clubs targeting Northampton left winger Michael Jacobs, who is out of contract at the end of the season. Peterborough are also believed to be interested, while Derby, Watford, Bristol City and Charlton have all previously been linked.
The 20-year-old impressed in the Cobblers’ 2-1 Carling Cup victory at Portman Road in August and went on to score seven times in his second full season for the Cobblers.
Born in Rothwell, 5ft 9in tall Jacobs came through the ranks at Northampton, which is his local club, and broke into the first team in 2009/10 when he made two Johnstone’s Paint Trophy appearances, before spending time on loan with non-league Nuneaton Town. He has now made 86 starts and 14 sub appearances for the Sixfields club, scoring 15 goals.
Despite his contract being up this summer, Northampton, who have offered new terms to their prize asset, are entitled to compensation due to his age, but Cobblers manager Aidy Boothroyd said over the weekend that no one has yet offered an acceptable figure: "There is no news on the Michael Jacobs contract and it is one of those situations that is a little bit up in the air at the moment.
"No one has made us an offer that floats our boat and as things stand he will start pre-season here with everybody else.
"If it goes to a tribunal and that’s what Michael decides he wants to happen, we will get what we are due.”
Boothroyd says the League Two club want cash up front if possible: "We are not stupid, we won’t be going for a deal with sell-on clauses or add-ons because with Bosman moves and swap deals you can lose out there. If someone wants Michael they will have to find some serious cash to buy him.
"Cash is king and while we want to keep Michael, if he wants to move on then someone will have to pay the sort of money we know he is worth, it is as simple as that. He has been with this club since he was very young and he has done very well for us.”
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