Derby County set conditions for Bournemouth in transfer pursuit of 28-year-old

Derby County are looking for substantial money upfront in any deal for club captain Tom Lawrence.

Bournemouth, who are only in their second year of parachute payments, are interested in the 28-year-old according to The Sun’s Alan Nixon.

Lawrence has led the line superbly in such trying circumstances for the Rams this season, and though his exit would leave a gaping hole at the top of the pitch, it could alleviate some of the club’s financial concerns in the short term.

The Welshman has scored 34 in 171 appearances for Derby and has endeared himself to the home faithful particularly this season.

Lawrence was a key cog in the Rams’ run to the Championship play-off final in 2018/19 but would hugely enhance his hopes of a return to the top-flight if he did relocate to the South Coast.

Sam Baldock, David Marshall, Dylan Williams, Jordan Brown, Graeme Shinnie and Phil Jagielka have all left Derby this month, but in terms of dealing with the clubs unsustainable wage bill, Lawrence would certainly be the most significant player exit so far in the window.

In Luke Plange, Colin Kazim-Richards and Jack Stretton there is ammunition to see out the rest of the relegation battle, but any distant survival hopes would be slashed if Lawrence was to depart.

The Verdict

Despite the potential immortality of surviving relegation this season at Derby, the priority must be the long term future and sustainability of the club.

Currently still in administration, it could be the most sensible course of action to allow Lawrence to leave this month with his contract set to expire in the summer anyway.

Due to the Cherries’ recent poor run and concerns they could relinquish the stranglehold they once had on an automatic promotion place, Derby are in