TWTD understands Town are yet to open talks with veteran former England international Ashley Young, but there is interest.

Earlier, TalkSPORT reported that Young was “likely” to join the Blues after a return to his first club Watford broke down, however, that overstates the situation as it stands.

We understand Young is a player interesting Town this summer and is on the list of potential recruits - as a player rather than as a player-coach as previously rumoured - but with no discussions having taken place up to now.

Young, who turned 40 earlier this month and would be Town’s oldest ever signing, is a free agent having been released by Everton at the end of the season after two years at Goodison Park.

Young senior made his breakthrough with the Hornets in 2003 having been at the club since he was 10.

Capped by England 39 times, scoring seven goals, Stevenage-born Young moved on to Aston Villa in 2007 and then Manchester United four years later and was at the club after Kieran McKenna had been promoted to the first-team staff.

A spell at Inter Milan, then a return to Aston Villa followed prior to joining Everton in July 2023.

Speaking when McKenna was in discussions with Brighton, Chelsea and Manchester United last summer, Young was full of praise for the Northern Irishman.

“I think he’s got everything to be a top, top manager,” he told TalkSPORT. “I worked with him at Manchester United and saw how much passion he’s got for football, the love he's got for football and just how he wants to be successful.

“He's seen as one of those managers. At Ipswich they want to play football, they want to be expansive, they want to get on the front foot.

“Obviously, he's younger than me, he's just one of those coaches that wants to be successful. He's got everything there to be a successful manager, no disrespect to Ipswich, at a bigger club.”

Meanwhile, we understand Young’s son Tyler has been among the trialists featuring for the U21s in pre-season. The 19-year-old was released by Peterborough at the end of last season.

Photo: MI News via Reuters Connect

Bazza8564 added 16:32 - Jul 21 I wish people would read the articles. The first one clearly says his link is a short term registration with a view to a coaching role. And guys, we can't spend the Omari money until Omari goes. And he won't go until he returns from holiday. And on the ownership one, the investors mad e a statement last week saying they were looking for ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT of £350m in due course. They aren't selling the club they are looking to increase the market cap by issuing more shares and attracting a third investment partner. I wish people had some understanding of business before they start making wild statements. We saw this with Brightpath Sports last March. This is the same.

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Bazza8564 added 16:35 - Jul 21 And despite what this article says hes looking at coaching opportunities, he was at Playford Road the week before last so if the club are asking Phil to downplay it I sense thats too late, it was on X a fortnight ago........
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TomCruise added 16:35 - Jul 21 Good signing in my eyes.
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blueboy1981 added 16:44 - Jul 21 Bazza8564 - you’d lick a positive out of a turd ! And with Relegation last season - What realistic chance is there of attracting a £350million investment ? - virtually NONE - if ANY !! Last season, results being different to what they actually were - YES - a Real possibility - but not now after Relegation !!
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Bazza8564 added 16:56 - Jul 21 Thats what the statement said, additional capital raising. Relegation is irrelevant fella, we are still 2-3 years ahead of plan, this is the beginning of year 5. the investment plan originally called for us to be able to "challenge" for a premier league position after 5-7 years. Most people agree we werent anywhere near ready with the side that came second in 23-4 were good enough or even anywhere near the second best side, so personally i treat the PL season as a bonus. We had NO chance of staying up last season, we bought accordingly and we are selling a couple on now to make us more ready this season. Even then we may still need another bounce. The fact we went up and down doesn't alter that, neither does it make the £350m anymore urgent. It's a medium term plan not an immediate need. no need to panic at all. We have 2 seasons of parachute payments, if we dont get up after that, it will be time to ask questions, for now we are fine

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ronnyd added 17:03 - Jul 21 Do we really need a cheating, diving geriatric?
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PhuketPete added 17:16 - Jul 21 He can player full back, left wing back and left wing so it’s not hard to imagine we might want him as a left sided midfielder. Let’s face it we’re a tad short in that Dept
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armchaircritic59 added 17:34 - Jul 21 Bazza 8564, spot on with those posts, I was going to try and post an explanation of at least some of the things from the " infamous " circulated letter, but in the end just gave up, as I could say the grass was green ( usually!), and there'd be some in here dispute it. Now, where's that turd I need to polish!
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chepstowblue added 17:39 - Jul 21 Let's hope he keeps his phone switched off. I can see absolutely no sense in this potential signing !!
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Booga484 added 17:48 - Jul 21 Not sure I'd like this signing. Obviously he has a wealth of experience from an illustrious career, but personally I wouldn't like him teaching our youngsters. The man has one of the biggest problems with gravity I've ever seen. And he's hardly gonna play for £6k a week, so give the squad opening to someone that isn't looking for a final payday
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blues1 added 18:02 - Jul 21 TimmyH. People are talking about him compared yo giggs and ronaldo from a fitness point of view.
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armchaircritic59 added 18:07 - Jul 21 Interesting one this. One thing's for certain, not for long term, if it happens. I saw him play a few times for Everton last season, one of their more reliable players I'd have said. I've little doubt he'd be good for a season in the Championship, if not Saturday/Tuesday on a regular basis. I'd be hoping for more long term thinking to be honest. Not to denegrate the guy, as he's been a credit to his profession. As far as I'm concerned, there are still two absolutely must fill spaces in the side before 8th August ( yes I know the window doesn't shut till 1st Sept ). That's another striker and midfielder. I just wonder if there's something waiting to happen, that may have something to do with the money from a potential OH sale. I've tried reading between lines, and to be honest, there are very few lines to read between. No doubt we will all find out over the next few days or so!

3

blues1 added 18:14 - Jul 21 Chepstowblue. You can see no sense in it? Signing a player who has played most of his career in the pl, even last season played 36 games. So clearly still fit. Some1,who will bring axwealth of experience together squad, and be a big influence around the squad both on and off the field. Doubt he'll play every game but his experience could be invaluable. Bit of a left field signing for sure but with what is a basically young squad, an experienced player is probably needed. Remember Aluko a couple of years ago. Even when not at his best on the pitch, his experience around the squad was invaluable.

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Maccaisgod added 18:18 - Jul 21 He is older than time and wasn't much cop when he wasn't.
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ThaiBlue added 18:29 - Jul 21 Ashley old
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Marinersnose added 18:39 - Jul 21 It’s quite obvious reading some of these posts that many posters don’t actually attend matches or watch matches closely. Young he certainly isn’t but as some have pointed out he was impressive last season in the PL including at PR. We can’t name too many players in our current squad who merit such praise at that level. He could easily do a good job in the Championship and his experience in the dressing room would be very useful. He’s no mug.

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Ipswich1970 added 18:43 - Jul 21 It appears that we are all getting pretty desperate for a signing, if we are commenting on news of a possible, that isnt really news at all.
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chepstowblue added 19:39 - Jul 21 Blues1....someone who'll spend most of his time suspended, someone who'll get skinned as a right/left back, someone who's too slow to take anyone on further up the park. God knows why we need him when we have Philogene, Clarke, Johnson, Burns. Each to their own, but I'm miffed.
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cressi added 19:44 - Jul 21 Respect where it is due has had a fantastic career under pressure at times at Birmingham we will need experience and cool heads irrespective of age.
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bluesissy added 20:27 - Jul 21 Good god....no thanks
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Marcus added 21:25 - Jul 21 Ashley Ancient?
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Writtleblue added 21:30 - Jul 21 I'm a young 78 , I could play 5 minutes.
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Redlock added 22:53 - Jul 21 Quality player but not a long term investment. We really need someone of his ability on the right but surely he would be a short term fix.
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darkhorse28 added 22:58 - Jul 21 Blueboy1981.., totally. We are up for sale. Coaching staff that won’t readily find roles mid season have left, and it’s 100% obvious we can’t replace them until there’s more certainty. So that only leaves coaches with playing contracts, like Young and Button. The problem for me is Ashton is treating the clubs loyal supporters like village idiots at this point, and so are the media (although they have little choice). I get Ashton would want to play it down for commercial reasons.., the timing was awful. But as soon as the statement was released, everyone in football knows…, EVERYONE .., there isn’t a single club or decision maker we are dealing with that doesn’t know. At this point…, he’s making it look like what the reality actually is. That he has ZERO respect for dupporters, none, and is happy to keep everyone in the dark, for no benefit at all. It’s not a secret. Everyone knows. He’s lying to supporters to save himself having to deal with a difficult situation.., and he likely won’t be here if a sale completes.., so doesn’t care. That’s so poor.., woeful lack of respect to supporters. Although we don’t help ourselves. We just believe literally anything he says (a toxic pathetic rump at least). We deserve better.., and we need to be much better as a club.., this isn’t a culture that breeds success and warrants respect. What happened to us running towards adversity. Just words and rhetoric from Mark.

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armchaircritic59 added 23:45 - Jul 21 I see Mbeumo has finally signed for Man U, might be a case of watch this space!
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