Burnley have reportedly had a bid for Derby County defender Richard Keogh rejected.
The bid, which is thought to be around £1.5m, is believed to be around The Rams valuation but Derby have knocked the bid back for their skipper Keogh. The rejection compounds Burnley to yet more transfer disappointment having already, seemingly, being beaten to the signing of Wigan’s James McArthur after having a number of bids knocked back by The Latics.
Keogh has become recognised as one of the best defenders in The Championship having formed a formidable partnership with fellow centre half Jake Buxton but despite this the general feeling amongst Derby supporters is that Keogh is not irreplaceable and should be sold for the right price if a suitable replacement is lined up. It’s been a summer of disappointment for Keogh after his mistake cost Derby promotion to The Premier League when he gifted Bobby Zamora a chance in the dying seconds of the play-off final. It is not yet known if Burnley will respond with a second bid as they look to find a capable partner for another former Ram in Jason Shackell.
Shackell, 30, was replaced at The iPro Stadium by Keogh, 28, when he left the Midlands club for Burnley two years ago; Keogh has since become captain and Derby are thought to have offered him a “very good” new deal as he enters the final year of his contract. Keogh has played 91 times for Derby in the league and played the same amount for Coventry before leaving following relegation. He has scored six times and even managed three assists.
Derby have just added to their defensive options with the signing of Ryan Shotton from Stoke and it will be interesting to see if Burnley test Derby’s resolve any further heading into Deadline Day.
