Sky Sports reports that Derby County have received interest from two Sky Bet Championship rivals for striker Chris Martin. Cardiff City and Leeds United, also in the hunt for promotion alongside Derby, are keen on the player, but that fact could prove to be a stumbling block for the move to go through.
It is believed that the Rams aren’t particularly keen on allowing the player to depart Pride Park for a direct promotion contender, believing it could boost them. Derby did allow Martin to join Fulham on loan, when managed by Nigel Pearson, seen as a strange decision by many at the time. The club therefore are keen on avoiding a repeat.
29-year-old Martin, also a Scotland international, had a successful loan spell with Derby from Norwich City back in 2013, and it would become permanent later in that year. He has been on their books ever since, although he spent last season at Craven Cottage on a season-long loan. Fulham had briefly been linked with the player again.
It isn’t a surprise to see clubs like Cardiff and Leeds express interest in a player that is a proven goalscorer at this level. He is currently behind the likes of Matej Vydra and Dave Nugent in the pecking order. At Cardiff, he’d compete with Kenneth Zohore, although Danny Ward is out long term. With Leeds, Caleb Ekuban is currently sidelined, and Thomas Christiansen is keen for Kemar Roofe and Pierre-Michel Lasogga, only just returning from a lengthy injury, to have more competition.
Sky Sports also understands that Derby are keen on a move for Norwich City striker Cameron Jerome. If he were to sign, then it’d path the way for Martin to seek pastures new.
