Huddersfield Town are hot on the trail of Northern Ireland centre-back Craig Cathcart – but could well face competition from Bolton for the out-of-contract Blackpool player.
The Belfast-born former Manchester United man reportedly made himself unavailable for his country’s forthcoming South American trip in order to resolve his future.
And sources suggest the 25-year-old, who has had four seasons at Blackpool and played Premier League football for them, is wanted by both Town and Bolton.
Blackpool paid £300,000 for his signature in August 2010, and 18-times capped Cathcart has made 117 appearances for them, scoring three goals.
His debut came in a 4-0 top-flight win at Wigan, and he featured in both Championship clashes with Town this season.
Blackpool are said to be keen to keep Cathcart, who joined Manchester United at 16 and skippered the Reds to the 2007 FA Youth Cup final.
He has represented Northern Ireland from Under 16 level upwards and while he featured in a number of United squads, his only first-team appearances came in friendlies.
The Old Trafford club loaned him to Royal Antwerp, Plymouth, where he spent the 2008-09 Championship campaign, and Watford, where he also played second-tier football.
Cathcart, an international teammate of Town pair Ollie Norwood and Martin Paterson, can also play right-back.
Town boss Mark Robins is on the look-out for defensive reinforcements after releasing Peter Clarke and Calum Woods.
Centre-back Clarke is said to be interesting both Preston and Barnsley with Bradford reported to be eyeing full-back Woods.
Meanwhile Blackpool are without a manager and in a state of flux, with only six senior players so far signed on for next season.
Sheffield United and Scunthorpe are said to be fighting it out for the services of former Town defender Andy Butler, who is out of contract at Walsall.
Butler lives in South Yorkshire, and is appealing to the Blades, who could lose highly-rated centre-back Harry Maguire to Town’s new Championship rivals Wolves, who are said to have made a £1m bid.
Robins’ side will face both Sheffield United and Scunthorpe, where former Town defender David Mirfin has agreed a new two-year contract, during pre-season.
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