Sky Bet Championship side Derby County are close to securing the services of Middlesbrough striker David Nugent, according to reports.
With the signing of Rudy Gestede from Aston Villa earlier in the transfer window, Middlesbrough striker David Nugent is suffering through a lack of playing time on Teeside and is considering a move away from the Premier League side.
With Nugent only making five appearances in all competitions for Boro so far this term, all four in the Premier League as a substitute, his situation has attracted a number of clubs including Derby County who are looking to bolster their own striking options for an assault on the Sky Bet Championship play-off positions in the second half of the season.
Nugent left Leicester City for the Teeside outfit back in August 2015 for a fee of around £5million yet it’s expected that Derby won’t have to pay anywhere near as much to secure his signature during this month’s transfer window.
With Derby County only managing 24 goals in 25 Sky Bet Championship matches this term, one of the lowest totals in the division, boss Steven McClaren is looking to add another striker or two to his squad for the run in to May and the end of the season.
Nugent has been prolific in the Football League before. Playing for Bury, Preston, Portsmouth, Burnley, Leicester and Middlesbrough the forward has bagged 144 goals in 522 appaearances whilst playing in the Sky Bet Football League.
Nugent has previously been linked with a string of other Championship clubs, including Leeds United, Aston Villa, Sheffield Wednesday and Fulham and is likely to move this month as Middlesbrough manager hinted at exits over the coming transfer window.
