Rangers midfielder Maurice Edu is close to completing a move to the Blues, according to a report in Scotland this morning. News of Town’s interest in the 26-year-old US international broke yesterday with manager Paul Jewell refusing to comment one way or the other when questioned regarding the Californian.

This morning’s story claims the Blues will pay Rangers £300,000 for Edu, although previous reports have indicated that as the former Toronto FC man has not transferred his contract to the Glasgow club’s newco, he would be available on a free transfer. His contract with the old Rangers was believed to include a clause which meant he could leave if the Ibrox club received an offer of £300,000, which may be where that figure comes from.

More locally, sources are suggesting the proposed deal hasn’t gone as far as this morning’s report claims, although Town have made an approach for Edu, who has been with Rangers for four years.

Jewell has confirmed that he’s looking for another central midfielder ahead of the start of the season, with the confirmation of the settlement of Jimmy Bullard’s contract expected to come early next week. The Blues are almost certain to face competition for Edu, who is reported to be on wages of £12,500 a week at Rangers, with La Liga side Valencia linked last month.

Meanwhile, Derby boss Nigel Clough admits it’s been difficult to decide whether to play Blues target Steve Davies during pre-season games. The 24-year-old has been left out up to now but is expected to be involved against Chesterfield today.

Clough said: "It has been a difficult dilemma, because we don't want him to get injured, which would ruin any chance of a move.

"But now we are getting to the point where there are three weeks left of the transfer window and there is a chance he will be staying with us, so we have to start getting him match fit.

"He will be a little bit behind but not too much because he has done all the leg work. He has been training, he is just not match sharp but he can get that in a few weeks.

"We've got today's game, the cup tie against Scunthorpe and a game at Matlock on Wednesday. So we have games coming up where he can feature.

"There is still interest in him but no club has come close enough to offering what we are looking for. If we do not get what we are looking for, he stays.”

Town have been chasing Davies since the end of last season but the clubs have been unable to agree a fee with the Rams believed to want £1 million for the man Blues boss Jewell signed during his spell as manager at Pride Park.

Story syndicated from TWTD.co.uk

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