Crystal Palace, Millwall and Charlton are among six clubs chasing Leyton Orient captain Stephen Dawson.
The 26-year-old midfielder is out of contract at Brisbane Road at the end of the season and has yet to sign a new deal. Standard Sport understands the terms on offer at the League One club would make him the highest-paid player there.
Orient are reluctant to lose Dawson, who has been in fine form and is one of their most consistent players, during the January transfer window. But chairman Barry Hearn and manager Russell Slade know that they run the risk of the player walking away on a free transfer in the summer.
Championship clubs Barnsley, Burnley and Leeds are also in the market for Dawson, who joined Orient in June last year.
Orient would be looking for a fee similar to the £175,000 they are likely to receive when Charlie Daniels completes his move to Bournemouth in January.
Daniels joined Orient's League One rivals last month for an initial loan spell.
