Exclusive: Derby County turn attention to signing Crystal Palace striker

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Published on:

15 Oct 2020, 7:09 am

Derby County have turned their attention to signing Crystal Palace forward Connor Wickham, Football Insider can exclusively reveal.

The Rams are desperately trying to bring in a new striker before Friday's transfer cut-off and have identified the 27-year-old as a potential option.

A recruitment source has told Football Insider that the Midlands club are plotting a swoop for the English centre-forward before the domestic window shuts tomorrow.

Wickham has entered the final 12 months of his contract at Selhurst Park and the Eagles may be tempted to sell the forward now, rather than lose him on a free next summer.

A series of injuries have limited the former Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday striker to just 39 appearances since the start of the 2016/17 campaign.

He spent the second half of last season on loan at Hillsborough and scored twice in 13 Championship appearances.

Derby manager Phillip Cocu is keen to sign a new number nine before the domestic transfer window shuts tomorrow at 5pm.

West Brom's Charlie Austin has already knocked back an approach from the Rams, despite former England captain Wayne Rooney contacting the former Southampton man personally regarding a move.

Football Insider revealed yesterday that discussions has subsequently taken place regarding Austin's teammate Kenneth Zohore but that deal is up in the air.

Zohore would likely prove to be a more expensive option than Wickham this season as he still has three years remaining on his contract at The Hawthorns.

In other Derby County news, it can be REVEALED that Blackburn Rovers have joined the hunt to sign Liverpool ace by Friday.

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