Ipswich Town have been linked with AZ Alkmaar youngster Wesley Hoedt, according to De Telegraaf.

Town have been keeping an eye on the 20-year-old as his contract runs out in the summer, and Ipswich could make a bid this January.

He's previously been linked with European giants, such as Ajax and Lazio, and also Feyenoord and FC Twente, and unless the Blues are promoted, it could remain to be a long shot.

The 6ft 3in defender's current club, AZ Alkmaar, have a history with Ipswich, after they played them in the 1981 UEFA cup final.

The final was played across two legs, in the end leaving Ipswich as 5-4 winners. The first leg, played at Ipswich, resulted in a 3-0 win for the home side. Despite falling to a 4-2 defeat in the second, Ipswich still won the trophy.

Back to more recent times, Ipswich fell to a 1-0 defeat against promotion rivals Derby County over the weekend. The early kick off was a passionate affair and Derby eventually leap frogged Town into second place.

The home side went closest with Jay Tabb from close range and David McGoldrick from 25-yards. Derby's defence was equal to it, and eventually broke the deadlock in the 57th minute, after Tommy Smith headed a weak ball back to Bialkowski, Chris Martin capitalised.

Town manager Mick McCarthy said to the Derby Telegraph after the game: "Derby are a good side but it was a nothing game and certainly no spectacle.

"It probably should have ended 0-0 but we made a mistake and it cost us. Tommy has come in at the end and apologised but no apology was needed, we all make mistakes."

Ipswich are now in third place having accumulated 47 points from the 25 games this season.