Derby County have announced a formal bid for Blackpool’s highly influential 26 year-old 6ft 2 inch defender, Shaun Barker. The initial bid is undisclosed but rumoured to be around £400,000, however Blackpool are said to be keen to keep Barker who was a key figure in their successful bid to retain Championship football last season.
Barker knows his way around the East Midlands being born in Trowell, Nottinghamshire and may relish the chance to return. His first league club was Rotherham, for whom he played 123 times, scoring 7 goals. He was transferred to Blackpool on a free transfer in 2006 and has played 134 games and scored 5 goals during his 3 years with the club. Barker still has a year to run on his current contract with the Tangerines.
The Rams are also interested in Dean Moxey who can play either at left back or on the left hand side of midfield. Moxey is a 23 year old and is again a lofty 6ft 2 inch player. He has played his entire league career for his home town club and 180 appearances has seen Dean score 21 goals since 2003.
Derby County have also added to the back-room staff, with physic Matt Brown joining as a physic to add to the medical team at Moor Farm, headed by Alan Tomlinson. Brown joins from Burton Albion and has strong connections with Nigel Clough during his time as manager of the Brewers...