Leicester City defender Gareth McAuley is set to ask the Foxes for a transfer, according to tabloid reports this morning. Meanwhile, released Sunderland left-back Ian Harte is again linked with Town, while David Sheepshanks is claimed to be in line for a job at the FA.

McAuley is believed to be unhappy that Leicester appear to be reneging on an alleged agreement made when he signed his new contract in February which allowed the Northern Irishman to move on if the Foxes were relegated.

Town have confirmed their continuing interest in the 28-year-old with chief executive Derek Bowden saying that further developments are down to the League One club: "The ball is in Leicester's court with our interest in the player well documented.”

The Blues made several offers for the former Lincoln City man in January and it appears that the £1 million bid lodged then is still on the table, despite Leicester chief executive Paul Aldridge claiming yesterday that his club had received no offer for McAuley.

Tabloid reports earlier in the week claimed Leicester want £1.75 million for the 6ft 3in centre-half, but a fee nearer the £1 million mark is looking more likely. Town appear to be most likely to grab McAuley's signature, although QPR have also been linked.

Former Leeds defender Ian Harte officially left Sunderland yesterday and is again claimed to be interesting the Blues. Harte was initially mentioned in connection with Town in April and again last month.

Norwich and Leicester were also reported to be interested back in April, although the now-relegated Foxes would appear to be out of the running and the Blues would be able to offer the 30-year-old a more financially rewarding contract than their East Anglian rivals if the clubs are indeed vying for the Republic of Ireland international's signature.

Gretna midfielder Abdul Osman is also being linked with a summer move to the Blues, Leeds or Brighton. SPL side Kilmarnock announced the signing of the former England Colleges player on a two-year deal last month, but according a report today were premature in their declaration.

Ghanaian-born Osman, 21, joined now-collapsed Gretna last summer after a trial, having previously played with non-league sides Hampton and Maidenhead south of the border and having had spells with Crewe and Watford as a youngster.

Meanwhile, David Sheepshanks, who stepped into a non-executive unsalaried role with Town last week, is being tipped for one of two new jobs with the FA.

Sheepshanks is said to be in the running to become the chief executive of FA's World Cup 2018 bid and also the organisation's new chief operating officer's position.

Previously, it has been suggested that the Government wants someone from outside the FA to head the World Cup bid, while Wembley chief Alex Horne is the favourite to land the latter position with interviews starting today. Sheepshanks is currently a member of the FA main board.

Elsewhere, Richard Wright is again linked with Tony Mowbray's West Brom. Town are interested in bringing Wright back to Portman Road this summer and the player himself is keen, however, the lure of Premier League football with the Baggies may prove too strong for the 30-year-old West Ham keeper.

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