Loan interest in Crystal Palace winger Sullay Kaikai is understood to have been the reason Blues boss Mick McCarthy took in the Eagles’ 3-2 friendly victory at AFC Wimbledon on Wednesday.
The Blues are keen to bring the 20-year-old to Portman Road with the squad still short of wide players ahead of Saturday’s Championship opener against Barnsley.
Southwark-born Kaikai came through the youth system at Selhurst Park having joined the club as a 14-year-old.
The 5ft 11½ tall winger has so far made two sub appearances for the Eagles, one in the league, scoring a goal in the last minute of his debut, a 3-2 Capital One Cup defeat to Newcastle United.
Kaikai, who plays primarily on the right but can also operate on the left and in a central role, spent the second half of 2013/14 on loan at Crawley, making two starts and three sub appearances for the then-League One side.
The wideman, whose parents hail from Sierra Leone, spent the following season with Cambridge United in League Two and made 14 starts and 16 sub appearances, scoring six goals.
Last season Kaikai had two spells on loan with Shrewsbury in League One and made 25 starts and four appearances from the bench, scoring 12 times.
TWTD understands the Blues currently have ongoing moves for two players with one deal not too far from being done.
Speaking after Saturday’s final friendly against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, manager Mick McCarthy said he was confident of adding to his squad before Barnsley's visit: "I’m hopeful we’ll have somebody in before Saturday.”
Town have been targeting wingers all summer but so far with little success. Former loanee Liam Feeney joined Blackburn after the Lancastrians offered the 29-year-old a significantly better contract, while we understand the Blues were subsequently unable to agree personal terms with Rovers winger Elliott Bennett, despite the clubs having settled on a fee.