Premier League Stoke City are the latest club understood to be considering a summer move for much-fancied Blues striker Daryl Murphy.
According to some reports, Potters boss Mark Hughes views Town’s 27-goal Championship top scorer as a potential replacement for ex-Blues skipper Jon Walters, who is being linked with West Brom where Stoke’s former manager Tony Pulis is now in charge.
Irish international Murphy has been the subject of much speculation since the end of the season. Last week Middlesbrough were claimed to have had a £2.5 million offer turned down, while Cardiff were reported to have him at the top of their summer wish-list.
Newly-relegated Burnley and QPR as well as Fulham have also been mentioned in connection with the 32-year-old, along with the other demoted former Premier League team Hull City, who were previously linked in January.
Manager Mick McCarthy and owner Marcus Evans have both said they are determined to keep hold of the Blues' key players this summer, while Murphy has repeatedly stated that he has no intention of leaving Town as he and his family are settled in Suffolk.
The former Waterford, Sunderland and Celtic frontman signed a new contract with Town last July, which has another year left to run with the Blues having an option to extend it for a further season.