Derby County have made a late bid for Ipswich Town striker Martyn Waghorn, seemingly moving into pole position ahead of Tony Pulis' Middlesbrough, reports John Percy of the Telegraph.

The report states that despite Boro's bid yesterday, Frank Lampard has now become firm favourite to be Waghorn's new boss after they matched the bid from their Championship rivals.

Sheffield United have also been pursuing the striker who cost Mick McCarthy £250,000 last summer.

Following his 16-goal season at Portman Road his price tag has rocketed, with a figure between £8m-£10m touted at one point.

The latest bid accepted by Ipswich is reported to be £5m, which may see Sheffield United also in the hunt once more.

Waghorn wasn't in the Tractor Boys squad for their opening fixture against Blackburn Rovers this weekend, a game they drew 2-2 courtesy of Tayo Edun's last-gasp equaliser.

Any move for Waghorn will generate the necessary fund for Paul Hurst to move for Jon Nolan, and Toto Nsiala, two former Grimsby players who followed him from Blundell Park to Shrewsbury Town, both of which heavily rumoured to be close to linking up with their mentor for a third time.

The Verdict

From £250,000 to £5m in just twelve months, that is great business by any stretch of the imagination. Ipswich might be left a little light up top, but if Paul Hurst is going to remodel the squad then he needs to sell Waghorn, which is probably why the price has tumbled in the last couple of weeks.

Derby didn't look too light up front at the weekend, Mason Mount and Tom Lawrence scoring for them as they beat Reading, but with Matej Vydra seemingly set to depart they will need a centre forward, with Waghorn apparently fitting the bill.

Whether he can replicate his 16-goal campaign remains to be seen, he's only hit double figures in three seasons throughout his career.