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Barnsley's O'Grady Linked - Ipswich Town News

Town have shown interest in Barnsley striker Chris O’Grady, according to reports in South Yorkshire. The 28-year-old netted the now-relegated Tykes’ first goal in February’s 2-2 draw between the sides at Oakwell.

Nottingham-born O’Grady started his career with Leicester and has subsequently spent time with Notts County (loan), Rushden and Diamonds (loan), Rotherham, Oldham, Bury (loan), Bradford (loan), Stockport (loan), Rochdale and then Sheffield Wednesday before joining Barnsley last summer for a reported £300,000 following a successful loan.

The 6ft 1in tall frontman scored 15 goals as the Tykes dropped out of the Championship during 2013/14, having netted 12 times during the previous campaign.

O’Grady has another year left on his contract at Oakwell and would cost a fee, which is likely to rule the Blues out of the running for his signature unless someone, such as Aaron Cresswell, is sold for a significant fee this summer.

Meanwhile, the Blues are understood to have kept tabs 22-year-old Rochdale striker or winger Scott Hogan, who scored 19 goals during 2013/14.

Like O’Grady, Hogan is contracted for another year and would certainly be beyond Town’s means unless someone is sold.

Salford-born Hogan, who started his career at Spotland before returning to Dale last summer after a spell in non-league, failed to agree personal terms with Peterborough in January after the clubs were reported to have agreed a £1 million fee. Wolves are also believed to be interested.

Elsewhere, Yeovil boss Gary Johnson says right-back Luke Ayling, who was recently linked with the Blues and Brentford, could stay at Huish Park, despite his contract with the relegated Glovers being up this summer.

"Luke Ayling is under 24 so whoever takes him will have to pay compensation, so I still see him in my head as still being with us unless a deal is done, which is good," Johnson told the Western Gazette.

Town were also claimed to have shown interest in Yeovil centre-half Byron Webster, who is also out of contract, along with Leeds United.

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