Former Wolves central defender Christophe Berra is with the Blues squad at this afternoon's friendly at Barnet. The 28-year-old has been reported to be on the verge of a move to Town for the last fortnight.

Edinburgh-born Berra came through the youth system at Hearts and broke into the senior side in the 2003/04 season.

Capped 27 times by Scotland, scoring twice, Berra joined Mick McCarthy’s Wolves for £2.5 million in January 2009. The 6ft 3in tall defender went on to make 149 starts and five sub appearances while at Molineux without scoring.

Berra, whose father is French, had been linked with a move back to Scotland and Rangers but speaking recently Gers’ boss Ally McCoist said he expected him to go elsewhere: “The deal for Berra is off. I think he is going to go to a Championship club.”

Speaking after the recent Crawley friendly, McCarthy said he'd love to have Berra in his squad if a deal could be done: “He’s a free transfer and he’s a really good defender Christophe.

"If I could sign him, I’d be delighted. Whether we can afford to sign him, because he’ll have other offers, he’s a good player.

“But I like him, I signed him, for heaven’s sake, I paid £2 million for him and he helped get us promoted and helped keep us up for two seasons as well.”

Photo: Action Images

Mark added 15:16 - Jul 20 Excellent, it looks like he's signing then! Another free transfer of a player well under 30.
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chazztime33 added 15:17 - Jul 20 Sign sign sign
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Michael11 added 15:17 - Jul 20 That should be another deal in the bag then. Very good signing if Mick can get him playing with confidence again. Buzzing for August 3rd now!
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RetroBlue added 15:18 - Jul 20 So who says we cant sign quality, eh ?! Sign Bramble as well and that will be the defence sorted....and I still wouldn't bet against Stearman joining us either!
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Pettitt10 added 15:21 - Jul 20 great news, but if he signs and the Khumalo loan deal goes through then I doubt we'll get Bramble
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Lennyboy added 15:29 - Jul 20 MM has built a fantastic defence, it's like a brick wall which will help us on attack. Opposition will get frustrated in trying to break down our defence and will try anything to score, we then have more freedom to nip in and score. It may be a simplistic idea of how to set up a team but that often works, build from the back. Its what all the successful teams do. COYB

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ThatMuhrenCross added 15:32 - Jul 20 Looks increasingly likely that Chambers, Smith, Bramble and Berra will be our four centre-halves next season. It appears Khumalo is sliding off the radar, which I'm happy about because I hate having players on loan when you could have your own!
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Tractorog added 15:39 - Jul 20 I agree with ThaMuhremCross about Khumalo sliding off he radar if Berra joins. Mick will have Khumalo lined up in case Berra can't agree personal terms, but neither Mick nor Spurs will want him to warm a bench spot or play in the reserves. I disagree that loan players are a universally bad idea. I think the balance got out of hand last year, but in principle loans can strengthen the squad. Look at DJ Campbell last year. Did we want his goals... Yes. Did we want his permanent signature? Not when we could sign McGoldrick.

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itfcserbia added 15:40 - Jul 20 YES! Get in!
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irishtim added 15:41 - Jul 20 Things looking good. For the first time in a few years feel very positive. Great to have the majority of signings done before the start of the season.
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runningout added 15:51 - Jul 20 Berra hasn't signed for us.. think some need to hold back with their glee.. When will you ever learn
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karls_dad added 16:12 - Jul 20 The outlook from almost everyone is a positive forecast and a feelgood feeling for the new challenge ahead! This lad only strengthens the squad even more! I even had a lengthy chat with a budgie season ticket holder the other day, (quite friendly even?) even he admits that we are looking really good for a serious challenge this coming season and will be hard to beat!!! And thats coming from a budgie so we must be looking good!!

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thebeat added 17:31 - Jul 20 Very clever from Mick covering all the base's. 2 players for each position. And we still havent spent a penny on transfer fees. I think if Berra signs we wont bother with Bramble as dont forger Mings can play centre half aswell. August 3rd cant come quick enough for me
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billlm added 18:03 - Jul 20 il probably get slated but id rather bramble didn't come back to town, berra any day, life long town fan but bramble was good when he was here but hasent got any better now than then rather have a centre half who can play a ball rather than hoof , sorry if I offend
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