Town are reported to have placed a £500,000 price tag on Coventry City target Alan Lee. The Sky Blues were initially linked with a £400,000 move for the Republic of Ireland striker last month and are understood to be ready to up their offer.

According to the reports, the Blues will cash in on Lee, who has a year left on his Town contract, as boss Jim Magilton looks to wheel and deal ahead of the new season.

Perhaps inevitably, Coventry striker Dele Adebola has been linked with a possible swap move as part of any Lee deal, with the Blues receiving cash as well as the 31-year-old.

Magilton expressed an interest in the Nigerian last summer but denied targeting the former Crewe trainee when the story was revived in January.

If Lee does move on, the Town manager is likely to look to add to his striking options, in addition to his continuing efforts to take former loanee Franny Jeffers from Blackburn on a permanent basis.

Adebola, who has a year left on his current Coventry deal, may be seen as one possible option, while the Town manager may again consider Bury striker Andy Bishop.

Town made two unsuccessful six-figure bids for the 24-year-old in January, prior to signing Jon Walters from Chester City, with the Blues boss watching the 6ft-tall striker in action on a number of occasions.

Bishop, who scored 21 goals in 49 appearances last season, has a year left on his contract with the League Two club, who he joined from York City last summer.

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