Former West Brom centre-half Jonas Olsson is claimed to be the reason for manager Mick McCarthy’s trip to watch Djurgåden beat Halmstad 2-1 on Sunday afternoon.
According to Swedish website FotbollDirekt, McCarthy was there to run the rule over former West Brom man Olsson, 34, who joined Djurgåden having been released by the Baggies in March.
Olsson, who was also recently linked with Swiss side Lugano, says he knows McCarthy from his time at the Hawthorns and the Blues’ boss’s spell in charge at Wolves.
However, quizzed on Town’s apparent interest, he responded: "Those are your words. I know him a bit since he was at Wolverhampton and I was at West Bromwich, but I don't want to comment.”
He added: "There are managers and scouts at every game but, of course, there is going to be more fuss when such a big name as Mick shows up.”
The 6ft 5in tall centre-half started his career with his hometown club Landskrona BoIS, who Town played in the UEFA Cup back in 1977/78, before moving on to NEC in Holland in 2005 and then West Brom three years later. He has won 25 full Sweden caps, scoring one international goal.
Town are looking to add another central defender to their squad before the transfer window closes on Thursday with skipper Luke Chambers (ankle), Tommy Smith (hamstring) and Adam Webster (ankle) all currently sidelined.
Olsson was one of a number of potential targets who McCarthy could have been eyeing at last week’s game.
Questioned on the the reason for his Swedish trip at Monday's press conference, the Blues manager kept his cards typically close to his chest and gave nothing away.
Asked yesterday whether he as any closer to making an addition, he said: "We’re progressing, we’re doing all right.”
. @Official_ITFC also wanted Graham but @Wolves don't want any more joining a club seen as potential rivals. @SunderlandAFC also interested.– Tim Nash (@TimNash_1) August 25, 2017
Meanwhile, Town are reported to have shown interest in re-signing former loanee Jordan Graham from Wolves.
The 22-year-old winger is now being linked with a move to tomorrow’s opponents Fulham with Wolves said not to be keen to want to loan another player to the Blues.
Graham made two sub appearances for Town when on loan from Aston Villa in December 2013.
If the Blues were interested it was almost certainly prior to the signing of Martyn Waghorn with McCarthy subsequently stating that he wasn't looking to add another wideman to his squad.