TWTD understands that French midfielder Cheick Kourouma has agreed terms with Town and is set to put pen to paper before the start of the season. Last month, we were first to reveal the Blues’ interest in the 19-year-old, who is currently without a club.
The 6ft-tall central midfield man, who was on trial with Town at the end of last season having been recommended by now-released defender Ibrahima Sonko, spent the first half of last season with Genoa CFC Primavera, Genoa’s U20 team, having previously been in Spain with Real Zaragoza’s youth set-up and before that with French club Sochaux.
Although Paris-born Kourouma is a free agent, Town have to agree development compensation terms with all three of his previous clubs as he is below 23 years of age.
Speaking at the press briefing called after Bryan Klug’s appointment as academy director, chief executive Simon Clegg was keeping tight-lipped about the Blues’ current transfer activity: "The situation is as normal — when I’ve got something to tell you, I’ll tell you but what I’m not going to do is fuel speculation.”
He confirmed that there are talks regarding new signings taking place but no more than that: "There are ongoing discussions.”
Regarding claims that the Blues are close to making a move for Derby striker Steve Davies, he added: "I read the speculation with interest.”
Meanwhile, TWTD understands that Town’s football operations manager Wayne Coghlan left the club at the end of the season following a restructuring of the roles and responsibilities of coaching support staff.