TWTD understands that French midfielder Cheick Kourouma has agreed terms with Town and is set to put pen to paper before the start of the season. Last month, we were first to reveal the Blues’ interest in the 19-year-old, who is currently without a club.

The 6ft-tall central midfield man, who was on trial with Town at the end of last season having been recommended by now-released defender Ibrahima Sonko, spent the first half of last season with Genoa CFC Primavera, Genoa’s U20 team, having previously been in Spain with Real Zaragoza’s youth set-up and before that with French club Sochaux.

Although Paris-born Kourouma is a free agent, Town have to agree development compensation terms with all three of his previous clubs as he is below 23 years of age.

Speaking at the press briefing called after Bryan Klug’s appointment as academy director, chief executive Simon Clegg was keeping tight-lipped about the Blues’ current transfer activity: “The situation is as normal — when I’ve got something to tell you, I’ll tell you but what I’m not going to do is fuel speculation.”

He confirmed that there are talks regarding new signings taking place but no more than that: “There are ongoing discussions.”

Regarding claims that the Blues are close to making a move for Derby striker Steve Davies, he added: “I read the speculation with interest.”

Meanwhile, TWTD understands that Town’s football operations manager Wayne Coghlan left the club at the end of the season following a restructuring of the roles and responsibilities of coaching support staff.

Photo: Action Images

cyprustractorboy added 10:05 - Jun 14 i have concerns about buying injured players also players that change clubs so often atyoung age
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Brazils_Hair added 10:22 - Jun 14 I am genuinly excited about this chap. Cant wait to see how he shapes up.
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walberswick added 10:29 - Jun 14 Sell Martin if doesn't sign new deal.
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AlanMahon2011 added 10:40 - Jun 14 Hopefully out of our 50 odd midfielders we have, one of them can play in goal.
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walberswick added 10:48 - Jun 14 Jimmy Bullard
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Tractorog added 10:56 - Jun 14 "European flair"???? So every player from continental Europe is a "flair" player are they? No doubt in much the same way as every person who posts on this site knows what they are talking about.
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buryblue77 added 11:17 - Jun 14 Walberswick, I don't tend to agree with you on much but I do on selling Martin if he doesn't sign. We can't keep going on letting all these players that we've paid a lot of money for walk away for nothing. if Lee doesn't sign he will interest someone enough to buy.
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jas0999 added 11:21 - Jun 14 Another positive move for the future - but really can't see this guy playing; does anyone know if he has actually played a competitive game of football (other than under 20's etc)? It's now time for us to build for next season - as one signing is injured and the other is unlikely to play. A GK and 2 x CB's must be the priority so we can start pre-season with the players expected to play - so they can build a partnership/understanding.Then for the Striker and replacements for Murphy etc.

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bobble added 11:24 - Jun 14 the french have no ticker ,no fight, he will walk off the pitch crying at the first tackle
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fifeblue added 11:49 - Jun 14 Kourouma my Lord, Kourouma Oh Lord, Kourouma ! COYB!
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itfc4eva added 15:08 - Jun 14 Good, Kourouma sounds a good player, and glad he is tall because he can score goals from corners, defend corners and win balls in the air which is something we dont usually tend to do. As for Steve Davies, he scored 21 in 83 games. Not bad and is a decent player. Need a few more players though.
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Farmers_Union added 18:45 - Jun 14 Surely we should be making progress on a CB, as a major priority... Darren O'Dea anyone???
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h32 added 20:10 - Jun 14 ...... it's amazing how some posters see EVERY potential signing mentioned as a 'good signing' - players with no club, freebies, injury prones, whatever, all and everything is potentially OK !! .................................................. It seems that as time goes by - and August FAST approaches - everything including the Ship's Cat will be a potentially good signing. Much work to be done before established, effective players will be tempted to the Club again - proof is there for all to see.

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runningout added 00:25 - Jun 17 someone with some common sense...
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