The Blues are reported to be ready to make an official offer to Chelsea for last season’s loan star Omari Hutchinson.
According to football.london, the 20-year-old, who is currently training individually overseas ahead of pre-season training, is yet to make a decision on his future but with a permanent move away from Stamford Bridge an option.
Town have made no secret of their desire to bring the Jamaica international back to Portman Road after his major contribution towards the Blues’ promotion to the Premier League last season and are said to be the current frontrunners.
It’s claimed a Town bid is now expected with Chelsea understood to want a fee of around £30 million with his former club Arsenal due a chunk of the figure they ultimately receive via a sell-on clause.
The Blues are unlikely to be looking at paying that sort of sum for any individual player this summer and are believed to be ready to offer around £20 million initially.
VfB Stuttgart and Ajax have previously been linked and are reportedly still keen, although their interest believed to have cooled latterly.