The claim comes just days after Freddy Shepherd moved to quash speculation that Speed was keen to leave the club because of a contract dispute.
According to the report Steve McClaren is desperate to strengthen his midfield and will bid for the Welshman after missing out on West Ham’s Trevor Sinclair and being priced out of a move for either Nobby Solano or Fulham’s Sean Davis.
The report does though repeat the claim that Speed is unhappy with the terms of a new deal that he has been offered, despite Shepherd’s earlier denial.
Although no evidence or quotes are offered to back the story The Guardian is no News of the World and has a reputation for accurate reporting of football transfers.