IPSWICH Town's leading scorer Alan Lee's future at Portman Road has again been placed in doubt by reports of increased interest from Coventry City.The Sky Blues are reported to be keen on Lee, and with a takeover in the offing have cash to spend.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Town's leading scorer Alan Lee's future at Portman Road has again been placed in doubt by reports of increased interest from Coventry City.

The Sky Blues are reported to be keen on Lee, and with a takeover in the offing have cash to spend.

An earlier bid of £400,000 was believed to have been made, which Ipswich are said to have turned down.

An extra £100,000 or so could however clinch the deal for the 28-year-old who scored 17 goals last season.

Lee is a big favourite with Blues fans having been purchased for £100,000 from Cardiff 18 months ago.

He is playing as well as at any time in his career, and Town boss Jim Magilton reiterated last week that 'Alan is going nowhere.'

But he did add: “If the telephone rings and an offer is interesting we will have to consider it whoever the player is.

“It could mean that a wheel and deal could place us in a stronger position.”

With Magilton keen to sign Francis Jeffers, cash brought in from the sale of Lee could clinch the deal.

And with Darren Bent last night turning down a move from Charlton to West Ham, Ipswich are still not certain they will pocket any cash from the sell-on clause for the 23-year-old ex-Town front man.

A Coventry source said: “The feeling is that Portman Road chiefs may be holding out for £500,000 or may even be interested in some sort of swap deal by resurrecting their interest in Dele Adebola.”

Jonathan Walters has made a good impression since he arrived from Chester in January, and he linked up well with Jeffers when the latter was on loan towards the end last season.

And with youngsters like Danny Haynes, Billy Clarke, Dean Bowditch and Jordan Rhodes set to mature into consistent goal scorers Magilton might think he is covered without Lee.