Adding a striker to the squad remains the priority for Town ahead of the closure of the January transfer window at 11pm this evening.

The Blues have already added Ali Al-Hamadi from AFC Wimbledon this week but are still in the market for a more experienced number nine.

Town remain in the hunt for ex-Blues striker Kieffer Moore, who reportedly will become available for loan should AFC Bournemouth sign Turkish frontman Enes Űnal from Getafe with some reports claiming that deal is now done.

According to BBC reporter Kris Temple, that would see Moore join the Blues, however, as we understand it that’s more of a could at this stage with other Championship clubs, including Sunderland and another of the Wales international’s former clubs Cardiff City, also having shown interest.

Town have a number of other irons in the fire ahead of this evening’s deadline but with Moore appearing the most likely signing as it stands with the Blues understood to be heading the chase.

The 31-year-old Wales international travelled with AFC Bournemouth for tonight’s game against West Ham United, placing him handily for the trip to Portman Road for a medical should that switch go through.

One player who definitely won’t be signing for the Blues is Eintracht Frankfurt striker Jessic Ngankam, who was linked earlier in the week. The former German U21 international has moved to FSV Mainz 05 on loan.

As previously reported, Blackburn Rovers are unwilling to sell Sam Gallagher, the subject of repeated Town offers, the Lancastrians initially having appeared receptive to a move before a volte-face, apparently due to concerns that leaving themselves short up front could see them dragged into the relegation fray.

Elsewhere, it’s now looking unlikely that either Sheffield Wednesday’s Marvin Johnson or former Middlesbrough left-back Marc Bola will join the Blues.

Town made an approach to the Owls regarding 33-year-old Johnson, while Turkish reports revealed Blues interest in Bola, 26.

There is as yet no confirmation on whether on-loan Manchester United full-back Brandon Williams will stay at the club for the second half of the season.

Williams, 23, has been back at Old Trafford for assessment for the last couple of weeks but is still officially on loan with the Blues.

Manager Kieran McKenna said last Friday that Cameron Humphreys, who we understand has been interesting numerous League One clubs, and Elkan Baggott, who is back from representing Indonesia at the AFC Asian Cup, could go out on loan before this evening’s deadline.

It’s not impossible other players on the fringes of the first-team could move on with the Blues’ EFL squad currently at the maximum 25.

Dominic Ball may be one Town are willing to allow to depart having signed Lewis Travis on loan from Blackburn to play the former QPR man’s primary central midfield role earlier in the window.

Alternatively, the Blues could deregister Sone Aluko, who hasn’t started in the league this season or an injured player if it was felt they would play little or no part this season.

Elsewhere, former Town striker Jack Marriott, 29, has completed one of the day's first moves, joining League Two Wrexham from League One Fleetwood on a permanent basis.

Meanwhile, another ex-Blues frontman, Joe Garner, 35, completed a move from League One Carlisle to National League Oldham, where he will link up with another former Town striker, James Norwood.

Photo: Action Images

Europablue added 10:17 - Feb 1 If we bring in Keiffer and we get good news on Brandon Williams, then that will set us up very well for the remainder of the season. We have a lot of reasons to be positive!
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Marcus added 10:18 - Feb 1 Mention enough names and one might be correct. I think best to hibernate and check news tomorrow ;)
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IpswichT62OldBoy added 10:20 - Feb 1 Wouldn't be surprised if Gallagher didn't come to us next season he seemed keen to be here, a bit like Hirst who we tried to sign before we finally did.
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Bazza8564 added 10:21 - Feb 1 This is on sky as below Sky are reporting Unal has agreed a deal to go to Bouremouth and that we are favourites Bournemouth have agreed a loan deal with Getafe for striker Enes Unal, subject to a medical. The deal is an initial loan with an obligation to buy for £13.3m (€16.5m). The 26-year-old is having his medical today in Madrid and this could be a significant move for them. This does not mean Bournemouth are losing striker Dominic Solanke today, it means they are strengthening. Unal’s arrival will now see Bournemouth striker Kieffer Moore heading out on loan with a number of championship clubs interested. Ipswich are currently at the front of the queue.

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Saxonblue74 added 10:22 - Feb 1 Better hope it's Moore then, as doesn't sound like there's an alternative lined up.
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James_B added 10:26 - Feb 1 How many times have I refreshed TWTD today!!!
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Alberto_the_frog added 10:26 - Feb 1 I'm starting to feel something is better than nothing. Moore may feel he has unfinished business here.
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MickMillsTash added 10:26 - Feb 1 Kieffer Moore improves us- proven goalscorer, hard worker, knows the division. Maybe costly but who knows when we will be in this position again Deregistering Aluko makes sense - he was some way off Maidstone's pace on Saturday
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itfc_4ever added 10:27 - Feb 1 Club shop closed at 3pm for “stock take” rumour has it big Kieffer is in town
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Europablue added 10:28 - Feb 1 Marcus If only I had the self-control to just not check the news, I think I would be much happier. The same might be said for actually watching matches though!
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IpswichT62OldBoy added 10:29 - Feb 1 He could certainly improve our scoring rate from set pieces
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Europablue added 10:30 - Feb 1 IpswichT62OldBoy I am pretty sure Blackburn won't take up Gallagher's 1 year option because of the wages. I really feel like Gallagher would only interest us if we lose in the playoffs as you'd imagine that we will have a whole different market to shop in if we get promoted.
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Gdunkdafunk added 10:30 - Feb 1 I was initially quite excited when Moore was mentioned but genuinely think Gallagher would be a better fit. I like the Wales connection with Burns n Broadhead & still happy to see him here. Blackburn are securing another striker today (by all accounts) so Gallagher might still move on.
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Bazza8564 added 10:32 - Feb 1 Im interested to read somewhat lukewarm comments about Moore. Having signed Al Hamadi the second striker incoming can afford to be a loan. Hirsty will be back at the end of the season, we have Buabo so the loan move can afford to be a sticking plaster. That would make 4 incoming during the window which isnt bad business at all given the lack of market movement generally

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JewellintheTown added 10:36 - Feb 1 In previous seasons, I think we've been relatively spoilt in the transfer windows, and more often than not finding out our transfers early on, so we could all relax. So in the modern MA/ KM/ era we're not used to this late stage still waiting on news of positions we need to desperately strengthen in, with the risk of ultimately not getting who we wanted. Flashbacks of the ME era that we all recall and want to avoid at all costs. Makes for nervous waiting this time. If/ Whoever we get, I'm trusting that MA/ KM and other staff have done the very best they could with the hands dealt them and should be supported and appreciated for the business they've done so far this window to strengthen us. Whatever our opinions on the in's/ out's, let's fully support the staff and new players. They've overall not let us down so far and taken us higher and made us happier than we've all been for a very, very long time. Enjoy the rest of the ride!

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Europablue added 10:38 - Feb 1 There is absolutely no doubt that Kieffer would be an excellent loan signing. A lot depends on the financing as too would a permanent move. We can trust in MA to take care of business off the pitch and KM to take care of business on the pitch!
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HopefulBlue69 added 10:39 - Feb 1 I'm a little concerned that we haven't added any real defensive players in the window.. can't see Williams coming back as nothing has really been said about what's wrong with him... If we get an injury to LD who is the cover as we played Humphries there a few times... Surely we're thinking he is the cover!!
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Europablue added 10:41 - Feb 1 Gdunkdafunk I'd be fascinated to hear what happened with Blackburn that stopped them from signing the player from the MLS, especially as he was reportedly on a flight over to sign.
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gosblue added 10:42 - Feb 1 It’s more a case of how many rather than just who.
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JewellintheTown added 10:47 - Feb 1 For those frustrated by the lack of transfer movement, this article explains a lot about the trickle effect from International/ Europe > Premiership > Championship and how different is is this window to previous ones and why - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68144952
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Len_Brennan added 10:58 - Feb 1 Kieffer Moore would be a great, necessary signing. He's not a like for like replacement for Hirst, but he is a proven at Championship level, a consistent goal scorer, is a handful for defences, & can link up well with those around & behind him ... especially if 2 of the 3 are international teammates. Moreover, he is fit & ready for immediate impact, and would be an excellent role model for Al Hamadi on how a lower league signing can go about integrating into a more senior squad & raising your game to becoming successful at that new level. This would be a big yes for me, even if we have to stretch ourselves a bit beyond what we would have wished to do. It'll be hard enough to stay with Southampton (2 excellent signings this window for them) even with Moore, but we'd have virtually no chance without him (or a Gallagher type), in my opinion.

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RegencyBlue added 11:00 - Feb 1 Time will tell but doesn’t look as if our transfer window has gone to plan as far as strikers are concerned. Think we are paying for not getting another striker in the summer window aside from Hirst. Al-Hamadi is clearly one for the future and expecting him to go from League Two to leading a Championship promotion push is a big ask which will put a lot of pressure on the lad. Not saying he can’t do it but it’s risky. Gallagher has clearly been our main target but have we chased him for too long? Rightly or wrongly we now look like we are scrabbling around to get anyone in which isn’t great.

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ArnieM added 11:00 - Feb 1 People saying Kieffer Moore will be very expensive, but IF Town could pull off this deal, and it gave us enough to get us over the line for automatic promotion, it’ll look like money very well invested when we consider the earwax’s of promotion to the PL. I’m praying hard, and trust me at my age getting done on my knees in prayer is no mean feet, much more getting up again!!

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billlm added 11:04 - Feb 1 Europablue,Blackburn sold Wharton for a good price, they have nothing to lose now triggering Gallagher's extension, then when the transfer window opens sell him, Might only get a million but he's on 25k so they will make money off him still, Understand why there's no way there selling him now good actually at this level and they've dropped like a stone,
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gosblue added 11:05 - Feb 1 FFP etc. should be there to stop clubs and owners gambling on the off chance of reaching the Premier League. QPR, Derby and Forest have been prime examples over the years. How can relegated clubs be allowed to recruit Prem players on prem contracts while in the Championship. That isn’t fair or sustainable (unless you happen to go up of course).
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