Town are emerging as rivals to Newcaslte United for the signature of Colchester's promising youngster Lomano Tresor Lua Lua. The Zaire-born player has been a long-time target of George Burley who put in an offer for the 19-year-old at the end of last year.
Former Town boss Bobby Robson seems set to make a £1 million offer for Layer Road's star asset and Town will need to match or better this offer if they want his signature. They will also hope that another ex-Town man, Steve Whitton, is prepared to let his best player go. His arm could be twisted by the impending EU ruling on the future of transfer fees - Lua Lua may be worth around a million to Colchetser now, but he could soon be worth nothing.