Derby County’s David Nugent has been linked with Sheffield United.
According to sources at HITC Sport, Sheffield United have recently made an enquiry for Derby County striker David Nugent with the Blades keen to strengthen their forward line.
The Blades have made a club record bid for Ipswich Town striker Martyn Waghorn, but as they are yet to agree a fee for the former Rangers man, they may see Nugent as a cheap alternative.
Derby have an abundance of forwards currently on their books and considering the situation, they would be wise to let him go even if it means ultimately making a loss on the player.
Nugent joined the Rams from Middlesbrough for a fee believed to be in the region of £2.5 million (BBC). While we’re not talking mega-money, the fact he signed when former chief executive Sam Rush was still around suggests he’s potentially on a decent wage.
The 33-year-old has been a good servant for the club, but he has evidently lost half a yard and strong competition for places means he is unlikely to feature regularly this coming season.
Moreover, Nugent has just one year left on his current deal and with boss Frank Lampard seemingly still keen to strengthen the team, allowing him to leave to free space both financially and in terms of squad size makes an awful lot of sense.
The BBC report that Derby are still trying to secure a deal for Peterborough United’s top scorer Jack Marriott, though so far their bids haven’t met the League One club’s valuation of the player.
Selling Nugent, even if only for a likely six-figure fee, may make all the difference as Marriott could prove to be the missing link in finally securing the Rams a return to the Premier League after a decade outside the top-flight.
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