Town, Rotherham and the Chicago Fire are reportedly in a battle to sign Preston defender Josh Earl.
According to The Sun on Sunday, the Blues, Millers and Fire are all after the 21-year-old, who recently ended a spell on loan at Bolton.
TWTD understands there is something in the reported Town interest with the Blues discussing a loan deal.
Southport-born Earl came through the youth system at Preston, where he is contracted to 2021, and has made 31 senior starts and six sub appearances for the Lilywhites without scoring.
Earl, who had a spell on loan in non-league with Lancaster City in 2017, joined Bolton on loan in the summer but picked up an ankle injury on the opening day which sidelined him until November.
In total 6ft 4in tall Earl made 10 starts and one sub appearance for the Trotters, initially playing at left-back before latterly moving to centre-half. Bolton manager Keith Hill opted not to renew his loan last week.
It’s well documented that Town are looking to sign another central defender on loan following Toto Nsiala’s loan to, coincidentally, Bolton on Friday and Earl would appear to be top of the Blues' wish list.