Town are battling Leeds United to land Brentford’s Northern Irish international winger Stuart Dallas.
According to well-connected Brentford site Beesotted, the 24-year-old, who was linked with a £1.5 million move to Scottish giants Rangers earlier in the summer, is now the subject of interest from the Blues and former Bees boss Uwe Rosler’s current club Leeds.
Cookstown-born Dallas started his career with Northern Irish side Crusaders before joining Brentford in the summer of 2012.
Having spent two months on loan at Northampton late in 2013, Dallas has gone on to make 38 starts and 37 sub appearances for the Bees, scoring eight goals. He is contracted for another two years.
Capped by Northern Ireland at full, U23, U21 and U17 levels, last season he made 25 starts and 18 sub appearances, scoring eight goals as the Bees finished the Championship season in fifth, one place ahead of the Blues, who they face on the opening day of 2015/16 at Griffin Park.
Manager Mick McCarthy, who earlier today was linked with veteran wideman Jobi McAnuff, may well be interested in adding a more experienced winger to his squad having signed youngsters Ryan Fraser and Ainsley Maitland-Niles on loan from Bournemouth and Arsenal earlier in the summer.
As reported last night, we understand the Blues are in talks regarding the addition of three players with Danish left-back Jonas Knudsen expected at the club for a medical and contract talks today.
Trialist Giles Coke is also understood to be close to being handed a contract after impressing McCarthy in the last two friendlies and in training.