According to the Daily Echo, Bournemouth have accepted a bid for former Derby County target Jack Simpson from fellow Championship side Cardiff City.
Simpson has been on Bournemouth’s books for over ten years.
But the 24-year-old has struggled to become a regular down on the south coast, and clubs have reportedly been seeking a deal for him since last season.
Sky Sports claimed Derby and Middlesbrough wanted him in January 2020.
Then Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe, however, opted against letting Simpson leave as he wanted the centre-back as back-up during the Cherries’ relegation fight.
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Bournemouth ultimately went down, giving Simpson a chance to break into the side under Jason Tindall. However, the defender has made just six league starts this term.
The latest reports from the Daily Echo claim Cardiff have launched a bid in the region of £750,000, and the Cherries have decided to accept the offer.
The Bluebirds have underperformed this season. Neil Harris’s side are 11 points adrift of the playoffs, losing their last four Championship games in succession.
Simpson may be viewed as a long-term replacement for Sol Bamba and Sean Morrison.
Derby, meanwhile, could regret missing out on Simpson. The Rams have yet to sign anyone this month as the club is still in the midst of a prospective takeover bid.
With Mike te Wierik returning to Holland and Curtis Davies out long-term, Derby only have two senior centre-backs on their books in Matt Clarke and Andre Wisdom.
Clarke will return to Brighton after his loan spell while Wisdom’s contract expires in June. A new centre-back or two will be a top priority for Derby this summer.
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