Sky Bet Championship sides QPR and Reading are preparing to begin a bidding war for Derby defender Cyrus Christie, according to Get West London.
The young full-back is thought to be surplus to requirements at Pride Park after Derby recently completed the signing of Andre Wisdom from Premier League side Liverpool.
And QPR will now battle with play-off finalists Reading for the young defender.
Christie made 30 appearances for the Rams in all competitions last season after completing a move from Coventry City in July 2014.
Whilst it is still unconfirmed whether Derby have received an offer from either QPR nor Reading, it’s likely that should the defender become available then numerous clubs will raise interest given his reputation as one of the league’s best right-backs.
Reading will be looking to bounce back from their promotion final defeat to Huddersfield by challenging for promotion again, but Jaap Stam will be keen to resolve the Royals’ poor defensive form by reducing last season’s sixty-four goals conceded – the 8th worst record in the Sky Bet Championship.
QPR, meanwhile, will have a similar job to those at Reading after conceding 66 goals and finishing just two points above the relegation places.
The 24-year-old began his career as a Coventry City trainee before making his professional début in a 2-0 defeat at Morecambe in 2010. Christie experienced two starts and three substitute appearances on-loan at Nuneaton before going on another loan to Hinckley United with whom he made 8 appearances. The right-back eventually signed for the Rams in July 2014, signing a three-year deal after becoming out of contract at the Ricoh Arena.