Crewe face competition from Championship side Plymouth Argyle for the signature of Cheltenham Town's Brian Wilson. Wilson was transferred listed by the Gloucestershire based club after he turned down a new contract and could go for a fee of £100k.
Crewe boss Dario Gradi said "We have told Cheltenham that we would be prepared to match any bid another club is offering and then it will up to Brian to decide.
"The ball is very much in his court - but I think Plymouth are interested, so I won't hold my breath on that.
"Of course, with these things the agent becomes involved and Neil Baker (Crewe assistant manager) has constantly been on the phone to him, so he will know the kind of wages we are willing to pay.
"He will know more or less what we are willing to offer, so the deal will either develop or it won't."
Gradi sees the former Stoke City player as an ideal replacement for Jon Otsemobor who like Wilson finds himself on the transfer list.
"Brian prefers to play right-back and that is where I want to play him," Gradi said.
"He has also played on the wing and scored some goals for Cheltenham from there. He can also play on the left hand side, like he did against us recently, but I do see him as a long-term replacement for Jon .
"We are prepared to take him because we think he would be able to come here and fit into the way we try and play."
Robins boss John Ward said that he has spoken to Crewe, but is still waiting for the club to come back to him with a firm offer.
"I find it odd that Crewe are talking to everyone except for me at the moment. I am still waiting for them to come back and talk to me," he said.
"I did speak to Crewe, but they still haven't come back to me and told me they want to do a deal for Brian. Until they do, Brian will keep training and playing for us."
Wilson was pencilled in to play against Plymouth Argyle reserves but instead watched from the sidelines as they drew 2-2 with out the watchful eye of Pilgrims boss Ian Holloway.