Frank Lampard is ready to launch an £8m bid for Ipswich Town striker Martyn Waghorn, as the new Derby County boss aims to bolster his attacking options ahead of the new Championship campaign.
Lampard, who is gearing up for his first season as a manager, is interested in bringing the 28-year-old former Rangers forward to Pride Park, and it's reported that Ipswich Town are happy to do a deal with the Tractor Boys, who are aiming to use the funds to bring Exeter City star man Jayden Stockley to Portman Road, and have recently purchased Ellis Harrison from Bristol Rovers for £750,000.
Waghorn joined Ipswich in 2017 from Rangers for £250,000, but having netted 16 Championship goals and provided 11 assists last season, the former England U21 international has caught the eye of Lampard, who is set to unleash a significant bid for the classy performer.
Sheffield United had been in the race to sign Waghorn, but the frontman is finding a move to Derby more attractive, and he has already indicated to Tractor Boys' new manager Paul Hurst that he wants to leave the club before the new season kicks off next month, and the former Shrewsbury Town boss is willing to sell him to a rival club for the right fee.
Hurst, who masterminded Shrewbury's journey to the League One play-off final last year, is now looking for a replacement for Waghorn, and he is keen on snapping up Exeter's Jayden Stockley, who scored 24 goals in 45 appearances for the Grecians last season, and will relish the chance of a move away from the League Two club, but Hurst is likely to have competition for the 24-year-old's signature with Preston North End and MK Dons eyeing a move up for the progressive striker.
