By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

19th Nov, 2019 | 11:22am

Exclusive: Derby County plot January swoop for striker with 12 goals this season

Derby County are keeping close tabs on in-form Blackpool striker Armand Gnanduillet, Football Insider understands.

Gnanduillet has banged in 12 goals in all competitions for the League One club this season, including five in his last four games.

A Derby source has told Football Insider that the club are scouting Gnanduillet as they look to strengthen their attack ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

County are in the market for striking reinforcements in January as they look to climb up the Championship table after a slow start to life under Phillip Cocu.

Scouts from clubs higher up the football pyramid have also been monitoring Gnanduillet, who impressed again last weekend with a fine double in the 2-0 win over AFC Wimbledon.

It has just not been Gnanduillet’s goals that has won him many admirers.

His overall play in leading the line has seen him establish himself as one of the best strikers in the Football League.

The Frenchman is out of contract at Blackpool next summer and news of his potential availability for a cut-price fee in January has left the club in a battle to keep him.

He has scored 12 goals from 20 matches this season to lift his tally in a Tangerines shirt to 37 from 129 appearances.

The Rams are amongst the lowest scorers in the Championship with only 18 goals in their first 16 matches in the league this season.

In other Derby County news, it can be REVEALED that the club are battling Huddersfield Tow and Swansea City to sign EFL midfielder lighting up the league.