Former Blues loanee Jens Cajuste is leaning towards a return to Portman Road rather than any of his other options, according to Sky Sports Italia.
Town are understood to have agreed a loan fee of €1.5 million (£1.3 million) plus a €7.5 million (£6.5 million) permanent deal if Town are promoted back to the Premier League with Cajuste’s club Napoli. A contract which runs to 2029 is also said to have been provisionally agreed.
However, Turkish side Besiktas have had a deal agreed with the Serie A champions for more than a month, while Saudi Arabian side Neom entered the race last week and reportedly made a renewed approach over the weekend.
Premier League Burnley were the frontrunners but their interest appears to have waned in recent weeks.
Sky Sports Italia is reporting that Cajuste favours a return to Town rather than taking any of the other options but is still to make his decision.
Reports elsewhere in Italy have claimed he wants his future resolved this week, perhaps as soon as today.
The 25-year-old enjoyed a successful spell with the Blues in 2024/25 and the club made no secret that they would like him back again for the campaign ahead, although while admitting it would be a difficult deal to do.
Town appear to have turned their attention back to Cajuste after Hayden Hackney's decision not to join the club, a fee having been agreed with Middlesbrough and the player having been at Town on Thursday.
On Saturday, manager Kieran McKenna wouldn’t comment on Town’s interest in bringing Cajuste back to Portman Road.
"Another player with another football club, so nothing to say or announce really,” he said.
However, he admitted the Sweden international is a player he’d love to have back at Portman Road.
"I’ve said that lots of times,” he added. "No news or updates there, we really, really like Jens.”