According to The Sun, Derby County are rivalling the likes of Stoke City and Sheffield Wednesday for Plymouth Argyle striker Luke Jephcott ahead of this summer.
The 20-year-old is making strides this season having scored 18 goals to date.
Plymouth boss Ryan Lowe claimed interest in his striker was inevitable during the January transfer window but warned he was tied down to a long-term contract.
The Plymouth Herald quote Lowe as valuing Jephcott at £3.5 million.
The Sun claim he is attracting a host of Championship interest with as many as seven clubs keen including Derby, Stoke City and Sheffield Wednesday.
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The Rams are the lowest scorers in the Championship this season with just 19 goals scored in 28 games.
Chris Martin left the club last summer which created a void Derby struggled to fill.
Colin Kazim-Richards is the current leading scorer with six goals. However, at 34 years of age, the former Sheffield United man isn’t exactly a long-term option.
Fellow striker Lee Gregory joined the Rams on loan from Stoke City on deadline day, while Martyn Waghorn is out of contract at the end of the season.
A new striker will certainly be a top priority for Derby boss Wayne Rooney.
Plymouth boss Lowe dubbed Jephcott the hottest property in the country back in December, and at 20 years of age he will only get better and better.
Standing at 5ft 10inch, Jephcott isn’t the tallest of strikers but aside from his goal scoring ability he also likes to get involved by dropping deeper and linking the play.
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