Town are targeting the loan signing of Reims central defender Cédric Kipré, according to a report in France.

The 28-year-old has spent much of his career in England, joining Leicester City as a young player from PSG in 2014 and having had spells with Wigan, West Brom and at Cardiff on loan.

He joined Reims from the Baggies last summer, signing a deal to the summer of 2027, but is now, according to L’Equipe, set to join the Blues on loan for the season with a mandatory option for a €4.5 million (£3.9 million) permanent switch should the Blues return to the Premier League in the campaign ahead.

Paris-born Kipré is right-footed but often operates at left centre-half and has also played at right-back.

The 6ft 4in tall defender made his international debut for the Ivory Coast, for whom he qualifies via his parents, in June having previously played for their U23s.

While at Leicester, for whom he failed to make a senior appearance, he spent time on loan in non-league with Corby Town, before a stint in Scotland with Motherwell.

During his time as a West Brom player, where he spent four years, he had a spell on loan in Belgium with Charleroi.

Town are in the market for a central defender this summer with Cameron Burgess and Axel Tuanzebe having left on free transfers to join Swansea City and Burnley respectively.

Photo: D.Nakashima/AFLO via Reuters Connect

IpswichT62OldBoy added 17:07 - Jul 9 He certainly adds some bulk at the back.
2

BobbyPetta11 added 17:09 - Jul 9 I remember him from West Brom correctly, he’s another Nsiala.
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IP9 added 17:11 - Jul 9 Not an impressive track record. I’d still take Wolfy any day…
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Jugsy added 17:13 - Jul 9 Remember us going up against him at WBA and he was impressive. Just under £4mill seems like decent business.
6

Dug added 17:16 - Jul 9 A decent back up player, I am more concerned about the lack of quality midfielders and where is that new striker?
7

Nutkins_Return added 17:16 - Jul 9 Jufgsy I'd be surprised if it is that high though it will be inflated based on it being based on performance i.e. promotion. He has been anywhere between free and £1m his entire career. I don't think a season in France has quadrupled his value personally. If we go up and pay that though it's a price to pay I suppose! I'm sure he is seen as a cover signing and can cover multiple positions

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runningout added 17:16 - Jul 9 Familiar West Brom link…. our recruiting needs to go in Croatia direction
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tetchris added 17:24 - Jul 9 He’s a unit!
3

ITFCSG added 17:30 - Jul 9 Underwhelming, not even a Championship all-star. CB not a priority, where's the CM and ST?
3

barrystedmunds added 17:32 - Jul 9 At last! Rumour control is activated!!!
4

Blooos added 17:33 - Jul 9 Pretty underwhelming and wouldn’t want to be paying anywhere near £4m for him. Bloke has gone on a free most of his career.
6

blues1 added 17:34 - Jul 9 BobbyPetta11. How odd, a town fan remembers a player who was at west brom 1 season, and while another fan on here says he was superb against us, you compare him to Nsiala? So ur judging him on, at most 2 games against us, at least one of which it seems he played well, saying he's rubbish. Ok.
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baxterbasics added 17:41 - Jul 9 Dug be on a down-vote binge! If McKenna wants him that's fine with me.
1

IpswichT62OldBoy added 17:46 - Jul 9 Some odd down votes to neutral observations,,,,,Dug doesn't think his is big, at 6 4
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flykickingbybgunn added 17:49 - Jul 9 You noticed Dug too. Looks like the sort of bloke that you would want as a mate down a dark alley. If KMcK rates him then lets get him, end of.
3

blueoutlook added 18:01 - Jul 9 Very uninspiring. We need two decent midfielders and where the hell is that striker Ashton ?
0

jas0999 added 18:17 - Jul 9 As always, would prefer to build a team of players with one or two loans. Hopefully not too manny loanees as otherwise back to square one next season especially if we fail to get promoted. Don’t really know much about this guy.
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Portman_Pie added 18:21 - Jul 9 No thanks..............!
1

Gforce added 18:27 - Jul 9 Two new strikers would be even better, not convinced with Al Hamadi as 3rd choice, if we have injuries or suspensions.
0

TimmyH added 18:29 - Jul 9 Still need to be far better scouting further a field - I know this link is from France but obviously in the forefront as he was with the baggies not long ago and with Cardiff on loan. Never really caught the eye then to be honest...
4

BlueNomad added 18:48 - Jul 9 Here we go; moans about MF and a striker when we also have a Burgess sized hole to fill. We can’t fill positions in order of priority. I would have thought that is obvious to everyone.
4

flykickingbybgunn added 18:51 - Jul 9 I feel deprived. Dug has not downed me.
1

algarvefan added 19:08 - Jul 9 Mmmmmm....... Not appeared for Leicester at all, sounds fairly underwhelming to me, surely we have or can do better?
1

BlueandTruesince82 added 19:12 - Jul 9 His time at Leic was years ago as a yoof. Pointless judging on that. Much better looking at his tine at WBA, Cardiff and Remis
1

trevski_s added 19:16 - Jul 9 This could be an interesting one. A nice tall defender that can play all the way across the back. I do agree that CM and ST (at least 2 of each) should be top priority but doesn't mean we should stop looking who's available in any position, never know could find a hidden gem. Yes he's not had the most stand out of records but look how many others McKenna has managed to turn around. Also after the departures of both Cam and Axel we could do with another CB especially now being back in the Championship, McKenna might opt to play 3 CBs in some games and if that's the case we might need the additional body to not put all the pressure on Baggott if he's planning on using him this season

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