Town are targeting Arsenal youngster Ainsley Maitland-Niles as manager Mick McCarthy looks to add to his attacking midfield options ahead of the new season.
While reports elsewhere claiming that Maitland-Niles is imminently set to sign on a season-long loan are premature, TWTD understands that the 17-year-old wideman or central midfielder is a Blues target and talks have taken already place as McCarthy seeks to add more of a cutting edge to his midfield.
Goodmayes-born Maitland-Niles, who is primarily a right-sided winger, joined Arsenal’s academy aged nine and broke into their U21 side during 2013/14, signing a pro deal in October 2014.
The England U17 and U18 international made his senior debut as a sub in last season’s Champions League game with Galatasaray and also made first team appearances from the bench against Newcastle in the Premier League and Hull City in the FA Cup.
The Gunners are understood to be keen to send Maitland-Niles out on loan to gain experience with a number of Championship clubs believed to have expressed an interest in addition to Town, but the Blues would appear to be very much in the driving seat with their move looking to be at an advanced stage.
Speaking at the end of the season, McCarthy said he wanted to see more goals from his midfield during 2015/16.
"It has been one of my big bugbears that we have not had enough goals from midfield,” he told the club site.
"We have relied heavily on Murph and Didz for the goals over the last two years, with the defenders contributing their fair share as well.
"It’s getting there that matters, not how you do it and we got to 78 points but our midfield players and wide players have got to contribute more in terms of goals.
"Of course if a goalscoring midfielder becomes available, I would love to bring one in. If we can find them, we will try.”
Maitland-Niles hit the headlines earlier in the year when his mother, Jule Niles, was arrested on suspicion of assaulting two people at Arsenal’s training ground, amongst them Arsene Wenger's negotiator Dick Law. She was later released without charge.