Derby County continue to chase Blackpool's highly rated central defender despite an initial reject of £400,000, which was due to rise to half a million pounds with add-on's.The Rams are now in a position to offer a raised bid following the sale of Tyrone Mears to Burnley and Tito Villa.
Blackpool's new manager Ian Holloway and his Chairman value Barker at around £1m but it is unlikely that Derby will want to pay that for his services. Holloway however has been actively seeking a replacement for Barker in the lower leagues, should the Rams or any other club be successful in capturing the signiture of the 26 year-old.
Rams manager, Nigel Clough is confident that Derby will be able to tempt Blackpool into selling Barker, although Nottingham Forest are also thought ot be interested in the player, who was born in Trowell.
Clough has also indicated that he would be in the market for a further two or three players before the season starts. This figure could rise if the Rams Welsh International keeper Lewis Price can be loaned out next season. Price is short of match practice and needs to have league games under his belt and a season long loan spell may be the ideal solution. The Rams would need cover in that position so would be on the look out for a stand-in on the bench...