Birmingham City, Sheffield United and Derby plot move for Ipswich Town midfielder | OneFootball

The Championship play-off hopefuls are reportedly looking to add Jack Taylor's experience to their respective squads

Birmingham City, Derby County and Sheffield United reportedly have their sights set on a move for Ipswich Town midfielder, Jack Taylor, with the Championship season now just over two weeks away.

That is according to TWTD, with Gary O'Neil also looking to reshape his squad at Portman Road after being appointed in place of Kieran McKenna following the Tractor Boys' second promotion to the Premier League within a three-season period.

Blues, the Rams and the Blades are entering the new Championship season in intriguing circumstances, with optimism certainly swirling around Pride Park, in particular, at this moment in time as Saudi Arabian boxing tycoon, Turki Alalshikh, is reportedly closing in on adding investment into the club.

Derby also finished highest out of the three sides moving for Taylor last season, as they finished eighth, four points outside the play-offs, with Blues ending in 10th and United ending a rather chaotic campaign in 13th.

Birmingham City could edge out Derby County and Sheffield United in the race for Ipswich Town's Jack Taylor

Action Images

As per TWTD's report, it is Birmingham who are currently the front-runners to strike a deal ahead of their Midlands counterparts and the Blades, who are overseeing a major rebuild in a tricky situation due to off-field debacles involving former owner, Prince Abdullah and current American investors, COH Sports.

In the early weeks of Ipswich's pre-season programme under the newly-appointed O'Neil, Taylor is yet to have any involvement, owing to his recovery from a knee cartilage operation at the end of last season.

As Ipswich ended second behind Coventry City, Taylor featured 39 times in the Championship last season, with 24 of those appearances coming from the starting lineup, scoring once against Blackburn Rovers on January 17th.

However, it has also been claimed that he is unlikely to feature before the Suffolk side's return to the top-flight against Sunderland on August 22nd, which could create reasons for minor concern over a potential transfer to any of the aforementioned clubs.

Birmingham City would be adding further Championship promotion-winning experience with Jack Taylor recruit

Action Images

Blues have made five signings so far this window, with USMNT international, Kristoffer Lund, joining from Palermo on Thursday afternoon, adding to the captures of James Beadle, Dael Fry, Jhon Solis and Luis Vazquez.

Three of those five signings have experience of playing in the Championship, and in the cases of Beadle and Solis, with Blues, after it was a major criticism last summer that not enough players of such an ilk were recruited by the Second City outfit.

Taylor, of course, has been a part of two promotion-winning squads at Portman Road, registering 106 appearances in the division and scoring six goals in the process, before seeing his minutes reduced in the Premier League.

And, with his contract expiring in two summers' time, Ipswich will be looking to make a profit on the £1.5m they paid Peterborough United for his services in 2023.

Birmingham City's chances of Jack Taylor deal could be boosted by Sheffield United, Derby County activity

Action Images

Out of the three sides currently linked with Taylor, Sheffield United's midfield is currently well-placed in terms of experience and depth, although the likes of Gus Hamer and Sydie Peck have attracted intense transfer interest.

That said, Blues could have an easier route towards the signing of Taylor as both they and Derby have been linked with midfield reunions for Kalvin Phillips and David Ozoh respectively.

Phillips, 30, had an indifferent first loan spell at Bramall Lane, but is reportedly nearing the completion of another temporary switch, whilst Ozoh is said to be the subject of permanent interest from the Rams, as he is being made available for £5m by Crystal Palace.

Meanwhile, Blues will be without Marc Leonard until the end of 2026 after the Scot was injured during the final weeks of his loan spell at Hearts, whilst it remains to be seen if Taylor Gardner-Hickman remains at St. Andrew's long-term, meaning further depth is a must.