Derby County: Clough wary of Barker £1m tag
The Rams have had a bid of £400,000, rising to £500,000 plus add-ons, rejected for the 26-year-old centre-back. But chairman of football Adam Pearson has denied reports that the club have tabled an offer of £750,000.
It has been reported that Derby and rivals Nottingham Forest have both had £750,000 bids rejected by the Seasiders, who are said to be seeking a seven-figure sum.
Clough remains keen on Barker but will not be willing to pay any price.
"I'm not quite sure what the situation is with that one," he said.
"But I think £1m for a centre-half is an awful lot of money to pay, so we will have to see where that goes."
Blackpool say they want to keep club captain Barker at Bloomfield Road but sources in Lancashire suggests that the Trowell-born player has been unsettled by the interest in him and may favour a move to the Midlands.
Pearson is hoping Barker's local roots could work to the Rams' advantage, although Forest could say the same.
"He is a local lad and we hope that might be something that is important in terms of moving forward," said Pearson.
Barker has spent three seasons with Blackpool after joining from Rotherham United, during which time he has made 148 appearances in all competitions, all but one of them starts.
He played 44 games last season and was named the players' player of the year.
Pearson believes the chance of a move to Derby would appeal to Barker – or anyone for that matter.
"I think this is one of the biggest clubs in the UK, not just the Championship," he said.
"It has absolutely everything – a great manager who is going to be great to work with, good facilities, a good stadium and brilliant fans.
"I can't think why any player would want to go to any other club, to be honest."
Pearson insisted Derby were in no hurry to make another move for Barker.
"There is no rush," he said. "It's only the middle of June.
"He's a player the manager has said that he likes and is a good centre-half at this level.
"But, as I say, we are in no rush and we will continue to monitor the situation."
"There is a long way to go and we will just keep our eye on it at the moment."
Reports from Blackpool also suggest that Derby striker Liam Dickinson could be offered in exchange as part of a deal for Barker.
Pearson said last week it was likely Dickinson – who scored four goals during a spell with the Seasiders last term – would be sent out on a season-long loan to a League One club.
On the Blackpool link, he said: "We've got a few clubs interested in Liam but we'll just see how that one pans out."
The date for Derby's Carling Cup first round tie against Rotherham United at the Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield has been confirmed as Tuesday, August 11, kick-off 7.45pm.
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