Newly-relegated Wigan Athletic are again being linked with a move for Blues left-back Aaron Cresswell. The 23-year-old was claimed to be a Latics target by some of Sunday’s papers and are now said to be ready to firm up their interest.
According to the weekend reports, Cresswell was viewed as a potential replacement for Honduran Maynor Figueroa, who has joined Hull City, however, Wigan have already added another left-back, Blackpool's Stephen Crainey, to their squad.
Cresswell has previously been mentioned in connection with Southampton, Aston Villa, Fulham and Crystal Palace this summer, although long-time admirers Villa have since signed another left-back, Spaniard Antonio Luna.
Interest in Cresswell will come as no surprise to Town manager Mick McCarthy, who said that he was expecting it towards the end of the season. The Blues boss said he views the defender as "a Premier League footballer in the making”.
An offer in excess of £3 million may well be enough to tempt Town to sell, although the Blues may be looking for rather more, with McCarthy subsequently using the cash to strengthen his squad for the season ahead.
The left-back, who is contracted to Town until June 2015, joined the Blues from Tranmere at the end of his terms at Prenton Park in the summer of 2011.
Rovers are entitled to 20% of the profit Town would make on the £420,000 they paid for Cresswell if he is sold. A Football League tribunal set a compensation figure of an initial £240,000 plus milestone clauses with only a £100,000 payment on promotion to the Premier League not triggered.
Elsewhere, Town and Leicester continue to be linked with Wolves midfielder Karl Henry, a player Blues boss McCarthy rates very highly. However, the transfer-listed former skipper at Molineux, who is contracted until 2016, appears to be beyond the Blues’ current budget.