MLS franchise Inter Miami is among the clubs keeping tabs on Blues central defender Luke Woolfenden, TWTD understands.

The 26-year-old is out of contract in the summer with Town having no option for a further year and a number of sides have been eyeing the Ipswich-born defender’s situation, including, as previously reported, Championship leaders Sheffield United.

We understand Inter Miami, whose president and co-owner is David Beckham and star player Lionel Messi, are another of those who have Woolfenden in their thoughts.

The 26-year-old, a key man in the back-to-back promotion side, returned to the Town team over Christmas having been out of favour for much of the first half of the season following the signing of Dara O’Shea.

However, the Blues subsequently added another right-sided defender, Ben Godfrey, to their squad on loan from Atalanta, and the former Everton and Norwich man replaced Woolfenden in the XI against Manchester City.

In addition, Axel Tuanzebe, whose primary role throughout his career up to joining Town was right centre-half, made his return from his hamstring injury as a sub against the Premier League champions on Sunday.

Town are likely to allow a number of players to move on during this window ahead of submitting their revised 25-man Premier League squad.

While 20-year-old Julio Enciso, whose loan signing from Brighton is set to be completed today, won’t be included as he’s under 21, Godfrey and Jaden Philogene will, while the Blues will also be looking to bring in a new number nine before the Monday 3rd February deadline.

Manager Kieran McKenna has previously said that discussions have taken place regarding Harry Clarke going out on loan, with Sheffield Wednesday among the Championship clubs interested, while Ali Al-Hamadi was yesterday in talks with West Brom about a permanent switch, a proposed move which fell down.

Town could free up one space by removing injured winger Chiedozie Ogbene from the squad with the Irish international not expected to be fit following achilles surgery until the end of the season at best.

Photo: Matchday Images

BlueBlood90 added 11:54 - Jan 22 Wolfy at the back, Messi in attack!
28

JackNorthStand added 11:59 - Jan 22 Would hate to see him go. Still has more to offer us
16

cressi added 12:03 - Jan 22 Don't worry about the level of football wolfy florida or Sheffield Messi or kieffer Moore I know where I would go .
2

PortmanTerrorist added 12:04 - Jan 22 For our system, no one has Woolfy's composure on the ball at the back, to bring us forward with a pass or run into midfield. Am willing to accept (if not necessarily agree) we have better defenders in his position, but given the margins between them, I think we lose too much going forward without Woolfy in the side currently which just brings on more pressure. Can't believe he has not been put on a longer deal.....but if he wants to go play with Messi then he will go with my forever thanks and will be welcome back any time.

16

PortmanTerrorist added 12:04 - Jan 22 For our system, no one has Woolfy's composure on the ball at the back, to bring us forward with a pass or run into midfield. Am willing to accept (if not necessarily agree) we have better defenders in his position, but given the margins between them, I think we lose too much going forward without Woolfy in the side currently which just brings on more pressure. Can't believe he has not been put on a longer deal.....but if he wants to go play with Messi then he will go with my forever thanks and will be welcome back any time.

0

PortmanTerrorist added 12:04 - Jan 22 For our system, no one has Woolfy's composure on the ball at the back, to bring us forward with a pass or run into midfield. Am willing to accept (if not necessarily agree) we have better defenders in his position, but given the margins between them, I think we lose too much going forward without Woolfy in the side currently which just brings on more pressure. Can't believe he has not been put on a longer deal.....but if he wants to go play with Messi then he will go with my forever thanks and will be welcome back any time.

1

tivo added 12:06 - Jan 22 Would be sad to see him go, and surprising considering out of all are defensive players he entices the press from the opposition the most
8

tivo added 12:06 - Jan 22 Would be sad to see him go, and surprising considering out of all are defensive players he entices the press from the opposition the most
0

cressi added 12:07 - Jan 22 I think his the best footballing centre back we have and should play more not sure about Godfrey last season at Everton was poor.
2

Leejames99 added 12:08 - Jan 22 Good move.
0

Gforce added 12:35 - Jan 22 From playing Accrington Stanley 18 months ago,to possibly lining up alongside Messi,that's some journey!
2

GTRKing added 12:39 - Jan 22 I doubt he will go Sheffield! He done ok so far this season. Be sad if he goes but Luke is a top championship player & would walk into any championship Team not sure if he is prem Quality yet but inter Miami would be a good choice. stay there till career ends
0

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 12:44 - Jan 22 I like Wolf and think he suits the 5 at the back formation well. Personally I'd like him to stay
5

billlm added 12:48 - Jan 22 Different lifestyle out there go for it,
1

PackwoodBlue added 13:00 - Jan 22 Play for your boyhood club. Tick. In the Premier League. Tick. Play with one of the greatest footballers of all time. Tick. Would be such an achievement in a footballing career. Would be sad to see him go but I would jump at the chance if I were him. He could have two years in the Florida sunshine and return to at least Championship level and still only be 28 years of age.

9

RIPbobby added 13:05 - Jan 22 Would be a great move for woolfy. Would be interesting life experience for him. Yes yes yes if it was my decision, although he would still be capable in the prem for us. What an opportunity.
3

Mariner1974 added 13:14 - Jan 22 Great that he's getting interest from various. Hopefully his recent displays in the back 5 will make the club realise the sense in having a home grown boy around, as he doesn't look out of place to me. Played well against Arsenal, Chelsea, Fulham, and I thought still held his own against Joao Pedro. Yes Pedro got the better of him on a few occasions, but VVD gets beaten by a striker on occasions for Liverpool. On current form I see him in the middle of the defence with a three of Burgess, Woolfie & O'Shea, Axel at right wing back and Leif on the left....Godfrey to cover Axel and O'Shea and Greaves as cover for Burgess. I really like Greaves in many areas, but seems to have a mistake in him that needs eradicating.

1

ArnieM added 13:40 - Jan 22 Have the Club decided not to offer him a further contract then? I like us for a youngish player.
0

ArnieM added 13:41 - Jan 22 " unlike" us that should read. Bloody predicted text!
0

tempzzzz added 13:42 - Jan 22 We've got Super David Beckham He knows exactly what we need Woolfy at the back Messi in attack Miami gonna win the f^%n league I like Woolfy, good servant and has come on leaps and bounds and shown he is more than capable in the prem. Would be sad to see him go but wouldn't blame him at all. Once in a lifetime opportunity. If he goes he goes with my best wishes and will always be welcomed back.

0

SpiritOfJohn added 13:45 - Jan 22 I like Woolfenden in a back 3/5, but concerned that both he and the excellent Burgess could both be out of contract in the summer. I thought this kind of issue only happened under the previous owner.
1

JewellintheTown added 13:56 - Jan 22 SpiritOfJohn, I suspect the reasons are very different as to why this is playing out the way it is, unlike the previous regime due to incompetence.
0

Pettabelieveit added 14:01 - Jan 22 At his ceiling IMO. Would be a great move as don’t see him staying in the Premier league and Miami vs Championship club.. no brainer
0

scooby added 14:04 - Jan 22 Im surprised he hasnt played more than he has this season. I certainly cant work out what he has done to not deserve to play. Good on the ball. Good communicator. Good football intelligence and getting better. The stats show this
2

Cadiar added 14:43 - Jan 22 A fantastic opportunity for Wolfie, if this is a genuine approach he would be daft to turn it down. Probably equivalent wages if not better, great weather unlike Suffolk in January and February ⁸ Think he should go & broaden his life experience
1

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