Accrington striker Kayden Jackson says he’d love to have a chance of playing in the Championship with the Blues one of a number of second-tier clubs chasing his signature ahead of next Thursday’s deadline.
Town are understood to have made a £1.5 million offer for the 24-year-old, who is also interesting QPR and a number of unnamed other Championship sides.
"That is football, it shows that I have done something right and it shows the team did something right,” Jackson told the Lancashire Telegraph when asked about the speculation regarding his future.
"If the team didn't do well then I definitely would not have done as well. Interest from elsewhere is just a part of football.
"Whatever happens we have had a good year and I am sure we will have a good season this year as well."
He admits it would be tough to turn down a move if Accrington accept a fee from one of his suitors.
"Nothing is guaranteed in football. If you do get the chance, whether you are a player or a manager, you can't just let it go by,” he added.
"If the chance arises then I would love to have an opportunity but whatever happens I want to make sure I am enjoying my football next season and want to try and do well."
Jackson joined Stanley last summer and scored 16 times to help them to the 2017/18 League Two title.
"This time last year I came in as a trialist and things were a little bit uncertain as to whether I was going back to Barnsley with the U23s or coming here.
"Thankfully I took my chance pretty well and at the end of it we got a bit of silverware which was a dream come true. I am glad that everything came together and that I signed and I am looking forward to the future now."
Town are looking to secure the signing of another striker with Martyn Waghorn’s future still in doubt.
Middlesbrough and Derby - with concerns about the Rams’ Financial Fair Play situation now being played down by their local media - are the leading contenders, while Sheffield United had a bid turned down a month ago.
Birmingham City, who are currently subject to a transfer embargo, were also believed to be interested, while Nottingham Forest have been linked and we understand other clubs not previously in the running are also now monitoring the situation. No one has yet met the Blues’ valuation of last season’s 16-goal top scorer.
Town are understood to be unwilling to allow Waghorn to move on anywhere until the recruitment of another striker has been confirmed.
Meanwhile, despite Jackson’s Accrington team-mate Janoi Donacien being set to confirm his move to the Blues later this afternoon, Town are still in the hunt for another senior centre-half.
Blackpool’s Curtis Tilt remains top of the list and the 26-year-old is reported to have handed in a transfer request in order to hurry along the move.
Town are understood to have made two offers which the Seasiders, who have been chasing a £1 million fee, have rebuffed, the most recent a £550,000 offer.
As previously reported, Shrewsbury pair Toto Nsiala and Omar Beckles are also on Hurst’s list of potential new centre-halves.
Elsewhere, former Blues defender Paul Digby has joined Forest Green Rovers from Mansfield Town, signing a two-year deal.