Derby boss Steve McClaren ready to swoop for Crystal Palace winger Bakory Sako in £4m deal
Rams boss close to bagging Palace winger as East Midlands side look to bolster squad for promotion push
DERBY COUNTY boss Steve McClaren is swooping for Crystal Palace's speedy Bakary Sako in a £4 million deal.
Sako is out of Sam Allardyce's plans and is finalising a move to the Rams who want to strengthen their squad for a promotion bid.
The Mali international wants to play and is willing to drop back into the Championship for regular action, with the hope of a quick return to the top flight.
The 28-year-old attacker moved to Selhurst Park on a three-year-deal following his release from Championship side Wolves in 2015.
McClaren could let one or two of his fringe men go in the window, with rivals Brighton keen on versatile forward Johnny Russell.
The new Rams boss has had a great start but knows the squad needs to be freshened up to get up and Sako would give them more power and thrust.
As SunSport exclusively revealed, McClaren is keen to add Henri Lansbury from bitter local rivals Nottingham Forest this month as well.
But Forest have rejected the Rams bid for their skipper who is out of contract at the end of the season as Watford continue to monitor the situation.