Boss Paul Jewell has revealed that Town have made an unsuccessful offer for Millwall midfielder James Henry. The Blues manager has also confirmed that he had targeted Nottingham Forest holding midfielder Guy Moussi, who committed his future to his current club yesterday, and that he made an enquiry regarding Cardiff’s Peter Whittingham, who Welsh sources linked with the Blues over the weekend.

Jewell had previously revealed that an offer for a winger had been turned down and says a new attempt to sign Henry was rebuffed by the Lions yesterday: “We had a bid for James Henry turned down by Millwall. That was the second bid we’ve put in.

“It’s been rejected by Millwall and they’ve told us he’s not for sale, so that’s probably dead that one, so we’re looking elsewhere.”

Henry, 22, plays either on the right or in the centre of midfield and began his career with hometown club Reading, during which time he spent spells on loan at Nottingham Forest, Norwich and twice with Millwall.

A deadball expert, Henry netted a hat-trick against a Tranmere side including new Town signing Aaron Cresswell in October 2009 during his second period on loan with the Lions.

In July 2010, he made his switch to the Den permanent for an undisclosed fee, having made only 10 starts and eight sub appearances for the Royals, scoring four goals, all in the Carling Cup.

The 6ft 1in tall midfielder, who has played for England’s U18s and U19s and Scotland’s U19s, who he qualifies via his parents, signed a three-year deal at Millwall last summer and made 43 starts and three sub appearances during 2010/11, netting five goals.

Jewell also confirmed that the Blues were, as reported last week, interested in signing 26-year-old French holding midfielder Guy Moussi, who signed a new three-year deal with his current club Nottingham Forest yesterday, having previously been out of contract: “We thought we were going to sign Guy Moussi but he’s ended up signing for Forest. He was one we were in for.

“There are a couple of others that we’re in for, but we’ve managed to keep most of them quiet, which is a great thing. I’m not being secretive about it, but that’s what we try and do and when it gets done you’ll be the first to know.”

Moussi committing to Forest means Steve McClaren’s club appear less likely to sign veteran free agent George Boateng, who has trained with both Town and the Tricky Trees during this pre-season.

Jewell gave little away regarding the 35-year-old former Dutch international: “George trained with us for three days. He just came in and trained with us and he did OK.

“We are after another midfield player that we’ve spoken about for a while. We know we need a centre-half, a midfield player, and we’re looking for another striker and another winger, so that tells you that we want competition for places in the team. We know that we’ve got to get better.”

Boateng, who had previously said he had not yet decided whether he would play for “reds or blues”, tweeted last night that he will soon reveal his new club: “I had a crazy day today but it all ended good and I will have some good news to announce tomorrow.”

Jewell also confirmed that he had made an enquiry regarding Cardiff midfielder Peter Whittingham, who was linked with the Blues over the weekend: “We asked and were told he wasn’t for sale. We have asked about Peter, but again we’ve been knocked back on that one.”

Meanwhile, the Blues boss says Town are being careful with new central defender Ívar Ingimarsson, who is still to play a game during pre-season: “He’s been doing some fitness work but we’re aware he’s got a thigh strain. It’s a difficult one because if we push him too much and he tears it, he’ll be out for a long time.”

A Town XI — which is likely to include Jaime Peters, Luciano Civelli, Shane O’Connor, Ronan Murray and Joe Whight — is in action against Bury Town at Ram Meadow this evening (KO 7.45pm).

Photo: Action Images

Surco72 added 10:17 - Jul 20 Boeteng would be a great signing for us for a long season as a wealth of experience for this level ideal for away games against tough opposition with Bowyer for counter attcking football .People need to look at the big pcture of the season not just playing pretty attacking football every game .Football is about keeping possesion and players like Boateng can do that all day .Lets go back for Whittingham with a strong bid and then see if Cardiff say he is not for sale

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Royalblue added 10:18 - Jul 20 That Henry is a great player with loads of promise - just increase the bid a little Marcus he's defo worth one more go. Four players still needed and as far as I'm concerned the priority is defenders!
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WorcesterBlue added 10:19 - Jul 20 At least we have been in for good players but as other people have said, if we only look in the Championship we are a/ likely to be rebuffed, b/ have lots of competition and c/ end up paying over the odds. PJ had a great track record of attracting good foriegn talent (oo-err) at Wigan in particular so why aren't we scouting abroad as well? P.S. Treacy, Stead, David Wright plus a quality CM from abroad.

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sonian_blue added 10:25 - Jul 20 Looks like that is it for signings then, apart from Boateng, who we seem to be close to getting. Oh dear, like Ingimarrson I see him being in the treatment room more than on the pitch. Have said it before that all these old boys and prem has beens is NOT the answer.
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broomfield123 added 10:33 - Jul 20 We arent getting whittingham so lets get over it. There are plenty more out there. There are the likes of Harper at Hull who come from essex and would enjoy comeing back to live in the area
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Lightningboy added 10:41 - Jul 20 Still cannot believe that we haven't sorted out a decent right-back..David Wright was ok but tbh we haven't had a great one since Fabian Wilnis was in his prime.
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riley26 added 10:42 - Jul 20 Not sure why people thought this meant Boateng would be signing today, either way he has just signed for Forrest. Pretty sure he would have been another Ivan Campo, don't need Bowyer and Boateng. We need midfielders in the mould of Jonny Howson, Andy King, Robert Snodgrass. Big ask but that type of midfielder. I would go back for Henry, depending on what other irons we have in the fire. Ideally a Max Gradel or Marvin Sordell style winger is required to replace the flimsy Lee Martin. Defence is currently a relegation standard back four. Need some powerful, quick defenders. I feel Edwards can offer the team something but bit defensively. Striker not urgent but if we are serious about promotion we need another top striker to compliment Chopra.

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B1TFC added 10:43 - Jul 20 Boateng signed for forest thankfully, agree with all the other alleged bids we have put in for, I'd love to see the list of players we've tried for but totally not succeeded in! Bet that would make some good reading! Rumours pompey going for Matty Taylor! Think he's ideal! But would love to see whittingham, surely Chopra could help in that move?? COYB!
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manualthetisfanclub added 10:50 - Jul 20 The only way these rival clubs would sell to us if we made an offer they couldn't refuse ala 5.5mil on mills to leicester.we aint gonna pay over the odds to rivals that much is for sure major cleggy would see to that!
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Infineteregress added 11:02 - Jul 20 Keep plugging away on the Whittingham front PJ! I can fully understand Cardiff not wanting to sell, but it would be an epic signing for our club! We've had plenty of bargin purchases this summer, and I'd be quite happy to see us to splash the cash if it meant securing Whitt's signature. COYBs!
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robdaful added 11:13 - Jul 20 "The first bid always gets rejected"
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johnhazelbum added 11:29 - Jul 20 whittingham, henry, boateng, moussi...
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whoppit added 12:15 - Jul 20 It would be so nice to get in a decent player for a change....
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tractorboy2434 added 14:06 - Jul 20 The reason that Priskin and Scotland are staying is simple, we have had no offers for them, that should tell you something, Cardiff will not sell Whittingham at this late stage, if we are serious and need a couple of midfielders go for Ambrose at Palace and Jason Koumas on a free as back up, then buy another striker, but sharpen up and get cracking, this should have been sorted weeks ago.

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AndyUK61873 added 14:56 - Jul 20 tractorboy get what you are saying on "this should have been sorted weeks ago", howvere the transfer window is open until end of August and you know many teams are wanting to see how there pre-season plays out before they make big moves, in case of injuries etc .
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