HUDDERSFIELD Town are favourites to sign Southend United’s attacking midfielder Jack Payne.

The 21-year-old looks certain to leave the Shrimpers this summer after rejecting a new contract to stay at Roots Hall.

And it is the Terriers who are currently leading the race to recruit the youngster.

Echosport understands Huddersfield and Dutch side Sparta Rotterdam are the only two clubs to have officially made contact with Blues, who will still receive a fee for Payne as he remains under the age of 24.

Ipswich Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers had also been tracking Payne’s availability but neither of them have spoken with the Shrimpers.

Huddersfield, who finished 19th in the Championship last season, are therefore front-runners to sign the youngster, who came through the youth system at Southend.

Payne top scored for Blues with nine goals last term and has played 88 times for the club.