According to a report by West London Sport, Derby County are among several Championship clubs eyeing Hearts striker Uche Ikpeazu.
The report claims Queens Park Rangers, Wigan Athletic, Bristol City and Derby have scouted the player this year following his impressive form north of the border.
Ikpeazu joined Hearts from Cambridge United on a two-year deal in 2018.
The 24-year-old struggle for opportunities in England. Loan spells at Crewe Alexandra, Doncaster Rovers, Port Vale and Blackpool from parent club Watford came to nothing.
Ikpeazu, however, managed to hit double figures in his second season at Cambridge in League Two and in his debut campaign at Hearts he struck eight goals in 26 games.
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Hearts reached the 2018-19 Scottish Cup final. Ikpeazu was instrumental throughout their run, yet he couldn’t stop them from succumbing to a 2-1 defeat to Celtic.
Standing at 6ft 3inch, the striker is powerful and pacey. He was dubbed the world’s fifth strongest player in the FIFA 20 edition – just behind Romelu Lukaku.
He said of his supposed strength, quoted by the Scotsman.
I’ve got more to my game than just being a big guy. When you’re big, people are going to target you but I know what I can do. My strength is a strength and I have to use that but I have other aspects to my game.
Derby have striker options in Martyn Waghorn, Chris Martin and Jack Marriott.
The Rams may see Ikpeazu as a different option and one who could be available for a reasonable price despite having a contract at Hearts until 2022.
Bristol City, Wigan and QPR, however, are also casting their eye on him.
The Robins could be on the lookout for a replacement for the injured Benik Afobe. QPR and Wigan, meanwhile, may see Ikpeazu as an ideal player in their price range.