HITC Sport understands Middlesbrough agree to let striker leave
Derby County are close to sealing a deal for Middlesbrough striker David Nugent, HITC Sport understands.
The Rams had been linked with a move for Nugent’s team-mate Jordan Rhodes, but HITC Sport has been told by sources close to Derby that the former England international target was always their main target.
Steve McClaren is still hoping Derby may pay to get Chris Martin back from Fulham, where he is on loan, and at the very least he will be back in the summer – so signing Rhodes was never really in their thinking.
“Nugent has always been the main target from Boro, and Boro knew that after contact was first made a few weeks ago,” the source told HITC Sports.
“The player has had interest from about 10 Championship clubs, but Derby have always been at the front of the queue.”
Middlesbrough’s David Nugent shouts
Nugent is expected to head to Derby for talks and a medical early next week, once the two clubs have finalised a deal.
Nugent joined Boro in the summer of 2015 from Leicester in a £2million deal, and that is understood to be the fee Derby are paying to land him.
Boro boss Aitor Karanka used Nugent as his main striker during their promotion winning campaign last season, but he has barely seen any action this term with just four substitute appearances.
Nugent is set to be followed out of the club by Rhodes, with Sheffield Wednesday still confident they will be landing the Scottish international, although Aston Villa remain keen.
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