Town are again being linked with long-term target Marley Watkins, who is expected to leave Barnsley this summer with his contract up at the end of the season.

According to the Sun on Sunday the Blues and Bristol City have “joined the chase” for the 26-year-old wideman or striker, but Cardiff City are confident of winning the race for the former Inverness Caledonian Thistle man.

Watkins, who has scored nine times this season, was the subject of a £1 million Town offer last August with interest reported again during the January transfer window .

When asked about Watkins ahead of the Blues’ visit to Oakwell last monthTown boss Mick McCarthy didn’t rule out a further move for the Wales-born midfielder or striker.

Quizzed on whether he knew much about the Blues’ interest in the summer window having scored the Tykes’ goal in that game, which ended 1-1, Watkins said: “No, I just crack on. Once the window closed, and in the window, I just focused on Barnsley, whatever happens happens.

“I’m a Barnsley player so that’s what I focus on, it would be disrespectful not to focus on that.”

Photo: Action Images

TractorCam added 16:39 - Apr 16 Ah of course, his contract is up, all makes sense now.
3

ScottCandage added 16:41 - Apr 16 "If he's free, he's for me."
2

neilvanlimbeek added 17:03 - Apr 16 Not coming, we will have to do with Keifer Moore
-1

12th_Man added 17:20 - Apr 16 No better then what we have
0

HarryS_H added 17:28 - Apr 16 People above seem to be disappointed at this... if this is the case he's an attacking threat valued at over 1mill for free, we would be silly not to attempt this, unfortunately the limited funds mean a few free transfers but if we'd have signed him for a mill he'd have been considered a good signing... free doesn't automatically mean not good, definitely worth a go if we can!!

11

BlueandTruesince82 added 17:56 - Apr 16 Be fair Tractor, we bid a million quid for him in the summer. Rather we were back in for Ward now Rotherham are down
2

gobs93 added 18:07 - Apr 16 All those going on about 'another freebie' are morons. A decent championship striker that provides competition and some quality in the squad can never go a miss. Seems like he could shine at this level given good supply!
9

blue75 added 18:08 - Apr 16 I'd be more interested if we were going in for a new manager.
18

therein61 added 18:24 - Apr 16 Here we go again, more spin!!! to try and rectify dreadful season ticket renewals nothing will change no decent player will want to join this club while Mick is still here(unless his favourites have a mate or two who need a pay day!!) after our abject performance this season.
4

therein61 added 18:26 - Apr 16 Re my above comment we could try to send Skuse to them as a make weight as that is all he is.
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therein61 added 18:29 - Apr 16 Which midfielder will give him the service gobs93 Skuse!!
0

jas0999 added 18:36 - Apr 16 Free transfer. Right up sevens street. No doubt the money for Murphy will be reinvested in wages - right Marcus?! Would be a decent signing. Bt new manager must be a priority?
11

Seasider added 19:49 - Apr 16 Don't know much about him,although note that re goals he has not managed double figures yet!
5

OldClactonBlue added 20:26 - Apr 16 A real McCarthy striker then Seasider. Good defender!
2

Gatehouse added 20:31 - Apr 16 Trouble is we buy in players or loan in players apart from Lawrence whilst mick the stubborn is in charge fringe players, youngsters or flair attack mined midfield players will never get their chance "play his favourites set up for 0-0 keep it tight bore the sht of everybody " what could possibly go wrong!!!
0

TimmyH added 20:49 - Apr 16 Well fancy us looking for another freebie - Evans will be well happy if Mick gets him this summer as he could have shelled out more than £1M for him in January (that's if you believe we really were going to spend a seven figure sum then).
0

OwainG1992 added 20:55 - Apr 16 If We're stuck with Mick or not...danny ward and Watkins are available for free in the summer. Would make sense to offer them good wage right now and not wait for them to go elsewhere.
1

Lightningboy added 21:23 - Apr 16 Freebies don't worry me - makes sense for a club in our position. The only money I desperately want to see us spend is the money to pay off McCarthy.
1

itfchorry added 21:35 - Apr 16 Ler the new manager bring in the new players- McCarthy OUT
2

PortmanTerrorist added 23:38 - Apr 16 ITFC 5 point plan Point 1 - give the supporters a lot of guff about how we intend to run the Club Point 2,3,4 & 5 - make things up as you go along and don't give a stuff about any actual plan or supporters Let Mick Go, give Klug the job, play the kids the Ipswich way. Right now there is nothing to lose in trying this and stop wasting money on wages/fees of bang average players.

0

Umros added 23:43 - Apr 16 Costing 1 million or being free is pretty irrelevant if: 1. He get s a better offer 2. We can match the wages of the better offer. Both of these are likely....... Won't believe anything till I see it.
1

Umros added 23:45 - Apr 16 *can't match.
0

dirtydingusmagee added 10:39 - Apr 17 I'm hoping ANY signings we make will be none of McCarthy's business .
1

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