Yesterday it was reported on this site that Derby have been given permission to speak to Coventry City defender Richard Keogh and that a fee of around £800,000 had been agreed between the two club, but Cardiff had a similar offer rejected, so if there is any truth in the speculation, why have Coventry accepted the offer?
The answer could lie in a cash plus player deal with Derby offering one of their players on a season long loan in addition to the £800,000.
Coventry City manager Andy Thorn, although he wants to keep his player of the year, he is resigned to losing him, but he is out to get the best possible deal for him. Keogh has a year left to run on his Coventry contract.
Thorn is reported as saying, "Richard is in discussions with another club and what will be will be with that one. We'll just have to see what happens.
"It's just business. We can't let his contract run down and let him go for no money. It's a shame, but these things happen."
Thorn is rebuilding his squad with the aim of getting out of League One at the first attempt, but he has to do so on a shoestring budget which means selling his better players and bringing in players on free transfers. He may also have to use the loan market to boost his squad.
Derby are keeping as quiet as Coventry on the subject, but The Rams, although now looking favourites to capture Keogh, are not the only club in the chase. Leeds United, Cardiff City and Bristol City are all known to be keen on signing the committed defender.