TWTD understands that former loanee Reece Brown could join Town’s legion of summer Bosman signings following his recent release by Manchester United.

Other clubs, including League Two Bristol Rovers, are believed to have offered terms to the centre-half, who is the younger brother of former England international Wes, but the 6ft 2in tall Mancunian looks set to opt for a return to Portman Road when his Red Devils contract is up at the end of the month.

The 21-year-old joined the Blues on loan in February and subsequently made one sub appearance for the first team, in addition to featuring regularly for the U21s.

England U20 international Brown previously had spells on loan at Bradford, Doncaster, Oldham and Coventry, and has also played as a holding midfielder and at full-back.

Adding strength in depth at the back would appear to be one of Mick McCarthy's priorities ahead of the start of the season with the squad short of cover at centre-half and at right-back since the departure of loanees Brown, Patrick Kisnorbo and Richard Stearman at the end of the last campaign.

Meanwhile, former Town defender Pim Balkestein has joined VVV-Venlo back in his native Holland on a three-year deal having been released by AFC Wimbledon at the end of the season.

Photo: Action Images

tractorboy12341234 added 22:32 - Jun 12 Suppose he would be on cheap wages. But we don't really need him?
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RegencyBlue added 22:34 - Jun 12 Well with all due respect I would like to think we are a better option for him than Bristol Rovers!
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SheffieldBlue1 added 22:36 - Jun 12 Sounds like it depends on the players motivation. Either he'll prefer first team football in league two, or he'll be content with a back up berth here. Perhaps he might even believe he could break into the first team here. I'd take him personally, we need cover at the back. His wages won't be that large either.
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BlueMachines added 22:37 - Jun 12 Shame if it is instead of Stearman but I guess the price is right! Can't be a bad player coming from there and Mick has got to know him, must rate him and can get him for free. In Mick we trust!
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shefkuqi32 added 22:38 - Jun 12 Not for me personally. Town can do better.
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arc added 22:41 - Jun 12 ManU will be due a fee, won't they, as he's under 24?
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tractorblue99 added 22:42 - Jun 12 More than able backup. Granted we didn't see much of him but he was never going to break into that defensive line up was he.
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MitchtheITFCman added 22:47 - Jun 12 Man united reject+ dodgy haircut= good enough for cover but if instead of stearman then forget it
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BlueMaverick added 22:48 - Jun 12 Man Utd wont be due compensation because he is released, clubs only get compensation if they have offered the player a contract!
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suffolkpunchdrunk added 22:49 - Jun 12 arc - if released there is no fee to pay.
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Garv added 22:53 - Jun 12 Don't need another holding midfielder, but back up options at right back and centre half are needed, as long as he's good enough?
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Foreverdon_Blue added 22:55 - Jun 12 I think this could be a good signing - young and will have been coached well. Certainly a good backup for Smith & Chambers.
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Ipswich24 added 23:00 - Jun 12 I'm really not being negative but what is the point? The lad is clearly not good enough for us! He came on loan last season and didn't make the bench on most occasions. And with reported interest coming from league 2 clubs I'm sorry I know we apparently don't have any money but this is taking it too far in my opinion. And before people comment to say cheap squad player and good backup lets look to our own academy for that

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Michael11 added 23:14 - Jun 12 Think a lot of you are over looking what this signing would actually be. I am 99% sure Mick will bring him in purely as a versatile back up player which every good team should have. He's not going to be signed as a key player but adds suitable back up in a place where we need it.
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walberswick added 23:22 - Jun 12 get him a tattoo and some earings, then sign him up
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Marcus added 23:36 - Jun 12 A young player pushing for a place in a team while we have a squad that's light in numbers. I'm not complaining but at the same time hope we a more senior player for him to compete against.
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JLITFC added 23:39 - Jun 12 He's only 21 and had little chances, MM obviously believes in his ability, I think we should trust his opinion really, add to the fact hes going to cost little in wages and its a no loss if he doesn't turn out great and a bargain if he develops well.
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Jimmys_Law added 23:41 - Jun 12 The move for Brown makes sense. I thought last season web I found out that he was out of contract in the summer, the loan may be with a view to a permanent deal. That obviously wasn't the case but he's got a good pedigree, would be within our budget, knows the players, versatile and he's a good age. Very sensible from MM if this happens. I would be pleased with the signing and it would be a better option than bringing Kisnorbo back due to his age and wage demands.

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JLITFC added 23:45 - Jun 12 Not too mention the reason he wasn't in the squad was due to too many loanees and he was obviously with the view of a permenant signing.
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Tractorog added 23:57 - Jun 12 A 21 year old that Mick knows well has got to be a reasonable signing. We are not going to be paying the earth for him. look at the way the other young defenders have come on under Mick. Of course we'd all like Stearman to rejoin, but I guess it is not going to happen as a transfer signing.
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pazelle added 00:50 - Jun 13 Worth a punt! He's only 21 and has proven premier league genetics!
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theresonlyonekeano added 00:53 - Jun 13 Good player to take a gamble on. Rarely featured last season because of our settled defence but could provide good back up and will probably not ask for too high wages.
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muhrensleftfoot added 06:42 - Jun 13 Would be a good signing for us. Young and good backup. Didn't do too much on his last loan, but that was because we had our max number of loanees most games. I reckon he'd make the bench on match days next season, even with everyone fit.
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karls_dad added 07:23 - Jun 13 I think we all need to just stand back and let Mick and TC do their job! Its been many a year since we had a decnt manager and team that actually know what they are doing! Before they arrived we were relegation bound for sure, the team had no desire nor commitment, they sorted that out within weeks, and we ended with a decent finish all things considered, So stop casting opinions, let MM &TC do what they do best and look forward to the new season with new hopes, I for one cannot wait to see what it will bring!!!

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sucrePB1 added 07:49 - Jun 13 miserable barnet
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