Premier League Tottenham, Everton and Stoke are reported to have joined the Blues, Nottingham Forest, Leeds, Blackburn, Wigan, Rangers and Bolton in eyeing St Mirren midfielder Kenny McLean, whose contract is up at the end of the season.
Spurs and the Toffeemen are now leading the chase for the 22-year-old, according to the Scottish Sun.
Last month, Blues boss Mick McCarthy’s watched long-time target McLean in action for the Scotland U21s as they drew 2-2 with Hungary at Dundee United’s Tannadice.
McLean was initially linked with Town in January 2013 and again last summer.
Rutherglen-born McLean, who plays on the left or in the centre of midfield, started his senior career with his current club having been released by Rangers as a youngster, but spent time on loan at Arbroath in 2010.
If McLean moves to a club outside Scotland in the summer St Mirren would be entitled to compensation of around £350,000.