Bristol City are among a number of Championship clubs believed to be targeting out-of-contract Northampton midfielder Michael Jacobs.
Peterborough, Ipswich Town, Derby, Watford and Charlton are all also understood to be running the rule over the 20-year-old.
Jacobs emerged as a shining light in a difficult season for the Cobblers and is assessing his options with a new deal from Northampton already on the table.
Northampton manager Aidy Boothroyd, however, is under no illusions that keeping hold of his prized asset will be difficult and has warned suitors the club will fight for a sizeable compensation fee to soften the blow if they are to lose him.
"No one has made us an offer that floats our boat and as things stand he will start pre-season here with everybody else," said Boothroyd. "I'm expecting it to run and run. There's been no developments and the end of the season is here now, so clubs are going to try to get him on the cheap.
"I understand that totally, that's fine, that's how it is. Although he is a League Two player, I see huge potential in him. I see things in him that I saw in Ashley Young and in Adam Johnson, so I really don't want him to go on the cheap.
"If somebody wants him they're going to have to pay for him because we'll have to replace him and take the club on. He's under 24, so if we can't come to an agreement then he'll move on and we'll get compensated.
"We want to keep Michael. If he wants to move on, someone will have to pay the sort of money we know he is worth, it is as simple as that. He has been with this club since he was very young and he has done very well for us."
Jacobs scored seven goals for Northampton this season and has 100 senior games under his belt.
Derek Mcinnes' hopes of signing Middlesbrough defender Stephen McManus, meanwhile, have been boosted by reports coming out of the north-east that suggest a deal could be thrashed out.
City are reported to have tried to sign the Scotland international permanently in the January transfer window, but a fee couldn't be agreed and McManus arrived for a short loan spell.
That spell was cut short after six games when he was recalled by Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray, but McInnes has begun the process of overhauling a squad that just avoided relegation last season and McManus is a target to shore up a defence that leaked 68 goals.
Reports suggest McManus' high wages could have been a sticking point, but that the defender, who is entering the final year of his Riverside contract, may consider taking a cut in return for a longer-term deal at Ashton Gate.
City, meanwhile, has been awarded The Football League Family Excellence Award for a third year running and has also been crowned the friendliest club.
Commissioned by The Football League during this season using 'mystery shopper' families, the 72 clubs are tested against key criteria, from the friendliness of stewards and ticket staff to merchandise options for youngsters, plus a family-friendly atmosphere inside the stadium.
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