Middlesbrough are reported to have made a £4.5 million offer for Town striker Daryl Murphy.
According to the Irish Sun, Boro have increased their bid having had a previous offer of around £4 million turned down by the Blues.
Three weeks ago, the same paper reported that Town had rebuffed an earlier £2.5 million bid from the Teessiders for Murphy.
The 32-year-old Irish international has been the subject of much speculation since netting 27 goals during 2014/15 with clubs from both the Premier League and Championship reported to have shown interest and we understand Boro are amongst those to have made an enquiry.
Last week, Cardiff City were reported to have ended their pursuit of Murphy, Town having apparently quoted them a fee in excess of £4 million.
Speaking yesterday, manager Mick McCarthy reiterated his intention to keep the Irish international at Portman Road: "We don’t want to sell Daryl Murphy, we don’t want to lose Daryl Murphy.
"He’s still on a break because he’s only had a couple of weeks [off since being away with Ireland]. That’s what I’ll be telling him, and his agent - we want to keep him.
"He was the outstanding striker in this league last season and it would be difficult to fill his boots. We’re going to try and keep him.â€
Murphy, who previously played in the North-East with Sunderland, has said on a number of occasions he that he has no intention of leaving Town as he and his family are settled in Suffolk.
The Waterford-born 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.