The Daily Mail reports that Derby County have declared their interest in signing midfielder Glenn Whelan from Stoke City. Gary Rowett is keen on adding the playmaker to his side, whilst Sky Bet Championship rivals Aston Villa are already known admirers of the Irishman as well.
Villa have tabled a bid of £500,000 for the international player, which was rebuffed by the Premier League side. The Potters are wanting a higher fee for the 33-year-old, and perhaps Derby County could be willing to make such a move, especially if rumours of Will Hughes leaving the club are to be true. Whelan has played over 250 times for Stoke.
It remains to be seen if Steve Bruce’s side will return with an improved offer to sign the former Sheffield Wednesday man, meaning Derby could take advantage of any uncertainty from their divisional rivals. Whelan played 31 times for Mark Hughes’ side last season as they ended the campaign in mid-table. Now 33, he may have to drop down a league should he wish to start on a more regular basis, especially with this being a World Cup year and Ireland still in with a real shout of making the finals in Russia this time next year.
He is proven at the highest level both domestically and on the international scene, meaning that there could be worse players available for under a million pounds this summer. Rowett clearly wants to add more steel to his side in this area, having often rotated in the midfield when taking the helm last season. Whelan certainly ticks all of the boxes so it is now a case of stumping up the desired fee to lure him to Pride Park.
