Norwich City are winning the race to sign Luton midfielder David Bell, according to reports. The 24-year-old is also being chased by Coventry and Leicester - where he finished last season on loan - but Sky Sports yesterday claimed Glenn Roeder was holding the upper hand.

Norwich City are winning the race to sign Luton midfielder David Bell, according to reports.

The 24-year-old is also being chased by Coventry and Leicester - where he finished last season on loan - but Sky Sports yesterday claimed Glenn Roeder was holding the upper hand.

They claim Roeder has stolen a march by offering Bell a “lucrative three-year deal”.

Bell impressed during his two months at Leicester, despite their relegation on the final day of the campaign, but cash-strapped Luton are desperate to offload arguably their biggest asset.

Roeder is no doubt also attracted by Bell's ability to play in both central and wide left and wide right positions- with dual-role players likely to feature regularly in this summer's transfer activity.

The City boss has also been linked with Shola Ameobi, but reports yesterday claim the Newcastle striker could be on his way to MLS outfit Toronto FC.

Ameobi is openly admired by Roeder, who admits the cost of bringing him to Carrow Road is prohibitive.

However, Toronto coach John Carver - who helped bring Ameobi through the youth ranks at Newcastle - has expressed more than a passing interest.

“I need some firepower up front and I am looking for new players, especially a striker,” Carver told Newcastle's Evening Chronicle.

“I've got my side organised now and have made Toronto difficult to beat, but I need to sign players in that area.

“Shola is a kid I brought through the system at Newcastle United, and a kid I know an awful lot about.

“If I can get Shola into this football club he would be a huge, huge asset for us.”

Ameobi, 26, finished the season on loan at Stoke, but even though the Potters were promoted to the Premiership, it is understood both sides are reluctant to make the deal permanent.

Toronto have filed a “discovery claim” on released City winger Darren Huckerby, and while Carver said that his team have “two or three things going on” in the player market, it is understood they have yet to make a formal approach to Huckerby or his representatives.