TWTD understands that Monaco have quoted the Blues a fee well in excess of £1 million for midfielder Jimmy Juan. Town boss Joe Royle wants to sign the Frenchman permanently over the summer but will miss out unless the price drops significantly.

Juan has a year left on his Monaco contract but is understood to be keen to move to the Blues full-time.

However, Les Rouge et Blanc have been monitoring the 22-year-old's progress with Town and sporting director Jean-Luc Ettori was at Portman Road for the home game with Millwall three weeks ago.

On Friday, Joe Royle said that there had been no recent developments regarding the Blues' move for Juan, although chairman David Sheepshanks had continued to talk to Monaco and the player's agent.

Juan has been one of the success stories of the season, having joined on loan in January 2005 after a spell on trial. Despite injury keeping him from first team action in 2004/05, Juan signed a season-long loan last summer and has made a place in the centre of the midfield his own.

The freekick specialist is currently Town's joint top scorer for the season on five, including the first in the 2-1 derby win at Carrow Road.

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