Exclusive: Derby County in pole position for Blackburn Rovers swoop after Wrexham development | OneFootball

Could John Eustace be about to raid former club Blackburn Rovers for one of their star players?

Derby County's path to sign Blackburn Rovers captain Lewis Travis has opened up thanks to a fresh development in Wrexham's transfer plans, sources have exclusively told Football League World.

The Rams are yet to make a breakthrough this summer when it comes to incomings, but with the window re-opening following a short break, it's time for Derby to strike ahead of the start of pre-season.

Reports have already suggested that head coach John Eustace will return to his former club Blackburn Rovers to bolster his squad, and he now has a better chance of snapping up the aforementioned Travis.

Derby County handed fresh boost by Wrexham in transfer pursuit of Blackburn Rovers captain Lewis Travis

FLW exclusively revealed last week that Derby had entered the transfer battle for Blackburn's midfield maestro Travis, joining newly-promoted Wrexham in the running for the 27-year-old.

It had previously been reported that the Red Dragons had submitted an enquiry for Travis' services, with the Hollywood-backed Welsh club prepared to offer him a significant payrise to move to the Racecourse Ground, with Blackburn wanting £2 million for his services as he has just one year remaining on his contract.

Now, FLW can reveal that Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson and his recruitment team have cooled their interest in Travis, and that leaves Derby in the clear to make their own move to try and add Travis into their midfield unit.

Travis was out on loan in the 2023-24 season at Ipswich Town when Eustace arrived last year at Blackburn Rovers to replace Jon Dahl Tomasson in the Ewood Park dugout, but he was one of his key players in the part of the 2024-25 campaign that he was in charge of the Lancashire outfit for - he now wants to re-unite with the Whiston-born ball-winner at Pride Park.

Lewis Travis' Blackburn Rovers contract situation as Derby County transfer path cleared

A key player at Blackburn for a number of years, the Rovers hierarchy are keen to tie Travis down, and as per reports, the club are willing to hand their number 27 a new three-year deal to stay at Ewood Park, with his current deal expiring in June 2026.

Reports this past weekend have claimed though that Travis is looking for "big money" to remain at Rovers, and it's opened the door for Championship rivals to make their move.