Derby County's unwillingness to pay the necessary financial compensation is likely to be an obstacle in their pursuit of Swansea City boss Steve Cooper, according to journalist Alan Nixon. 

Phillip Cocu left Pride Park earlier this month and the Rams are yet to appoint a permanent replacement, with Wayne Rooney currently interim boss.

Cooper, who led the Swans to the play-offs last term and has them fourth as things stand, has been linked with taking charge at Derby.

Nixon has suggested, however, that the financial compensation the East Midlands club would have to pay Swansea is likely to mean they look elsewhere.

Previous reports have indicated that it would cost them more than £1 million to get the Swans boss.

Whoever takes charge at Pride Park looks like to have some extra financial might in January as Sheikh Khaled's £60 million takeover is expected to be completed soon.

John Terry, Eddie Howe and Sam Allardyce are among the other names linked with the job, while Rooney and first-team coach Liam Rosenior have also expressed their interest.

Derby are bottom of the Championship after their 1-1 draw with Wycombe on Saturday and look as though they could be heading for a relegation battle this season.

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The Verdict

While Cooper would be a fantastic appointment, the obstacle of the financial compensation appears to make a move to Pride Park very unlikely.

On top of that, you'd question whether the Welshman would want to leave the promotion-chasing Swans to join a Derby side that are bottom of the Championship.

With Steve MacLaren in place as the director of football, you'd imagine it won't be too long before a permanent appointment is made.