Derby County boss Steve McClaren has personally watched Hearts’ Callum Paterson, who is also in Watford’s sights.
Derby County are poised to make a £500,000 bid for Hearts’ Callum Paterson in January, according to the Daily Record.
However, with the Scottish side reportedly due around £400,000 at the end of Paterson’s contract regardless, and the difference in cost between a fourth- and second-place finish said to be around a similar amount, it would not be enough to tempt a sale, the report claims.
Hearts would consider selling the full-back in January, at least according to the Daily Record, although it states they would demand closer to £1 million for him.
And Derby could encounter another problem in their pursuit of Paterson, with Premier League Watford also said to be keen.
Rams boss Steve McClaren watched the 22-year-old in action against Rangers last week and is keen to bolster the right-hand side of his defence after an injury to Cyrus Christie.
As non-Scottish clubs, both Derby and Watford are able to speak to Paterson without Hearts’ permission in January, and could agree pre-contract deals to commence from July.
Derby, who were two points above the Championship’s bottom three when McClaren arrived in October, are now as many points off the play-offs and could join the Hornets in next season’s Premier League.
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