New name linked in transfer search as Derby County, Ipswich and Bristol City 'possible destinations'

David Bates has been linked with a move to Derby County with Ipswich Town and Bristol City also said to be possible destinations for the Aberdeen centre-back.

According to the Daily Record, all three clubs are monitoring the defender who has not played a minute for the Dons in their three Premier Sports Cup games so far.

Bates only joined the Scottish Premier League side a year ago, but is now being linked with an exit just 12 months after arriving from German side Hamburg.

With Bates still having two years remaining on his deal at Pittodrie, the Rams would be unable to pay a transfer fee for the defender in accordance with the business plan agreed with the Football League following the club's takeover. Any deal for the 25-year-old, who has won six caps for Scotland, would either have to be a loan or a free transfer.

Derby have already added James Chester to their options at centre-back this summer, but are still looking at bolstering their squad with a goalkeeper on the wanted list as well as an experienced right-back.

They have also taken winger Amadou Diallo on trial after his exit from West Ham and he played in the second half of the 1-0 defeat to Stevenage on Tuesday night. It suggests that a wide player is also on the agenda ahead of the League One season which kicks off in nine days' time.