Journalist hints Middlesbrough in pole position over Derby County to seal Blackburn Rovers transfer | OneFootball

Middlesbrough are still the favourites to land Blackburn Rovers defender Callum Brittain despite interest from Derby County.

Middlesbrough are reportedly in pole position to sign Blackburn Rovers defender Callum Brittain despite interest from Derby County.

That's according to journalist Alan Nixon, who claims that Derby's offer for Brittain is not as big as Middlesbrough's, meaning they still have an advantage in the race for the in-demand Blackburn man.

Brittain starred for Rovers last season as they narrowly missed out on the Championship play-offs, and after rejecting the offer of a new contract at Ewood Park as he enters the last year of his current deal, he has been the subject of interest from the likes of Boro, Derby and Wrexham this summer.

It was claimed that Boro are preparing to make a new bid of £3 million plus extras for Brittain after their initial offer of £2.5 million was rejected, and while it seems Derby have now submitted a bid of their own, Nixon has revealed the Teesside outfit's proposal is still the biggest on the table.

However, Brittain is currently in Spain with the rest of his Blackburn team-mates for their pre-season training camp, so it is likely that the transfer saga involving the defender will drag on for at least another week until he returns to England.

Middlesbrough handed boost in pursuit of Blackburn Rovers defender Callum Brittain

After turning down Blackburn's offer of a new contract amid reports of interest from elsewhere, Brittain asked to be left out of the squad for the pre-season friendly at Accrington Stanley earlier this month, but manager Valerien Ismael warned he would not allow the situation to disrupt the club's preparations for the new campaign.

Brittain featured for Rovers in their 1-0 win over Everton on Saturday, and he has now travelled to Spain with the rest of his team-mates, but that has done little to stop the speculation over his future.

In the latest update on Brittain's situation, Ismael confirmed that the 27-year-old will be allowed to leave Ewood Park if Blackburn receive a suitable offer, but the Frenchman also revealed that the club are prepared to run the risk of losing him for free next summer.

"We had an agreement with Callum last week. He is very professional and it's clear I like him. Our stance is very clear, he is an important player for us," Ismael told the Lancashire Telegraph.

"If he stays, we will be happy. If he has to leave, he will, but only if the price is right for the club.

"I think you can see he's still happy to play for Blackburn. We understand the situation, he has one year on his contract. On the other hand, we know what he brings to the team.

"We want him to stay and he will be happy to. After that, you never know, everything can happen in football. But at the minute, nothing has changed except Callum is back on track and being a professional."

However, despite some reports in the media on Tuesday morning suggesting that Derby have agreed a deal for Brittain, it seems that Rovers are yet to accept any bids for the defender, and Nixon has now revealed that Middlesbrough's offer is still the biggest.

Middlesbrough may have lingering Derby County, Callum Brittain fear amid Blackburn Rovers transfer saga

Middlesbrough will be reassured that their offer for Brittain is the best one on the table, but they may be concerned by the fact that Derby appear to be stepping up their interest in the defender.

Brittain worked under current Rams manager John Eustace at Blackburn last season, and the 45-year-old has already returned to Ewood Park to sign Danny Batth and Andreas Weimann this summer, and he is also set to reunite with ex-Rovers loanee Owen Beck at Pride Park.

Eustace's pulling power has been evident in Derby's transfer business this summer, and it is clear that he leaves a significant impression on the players he manages, so Boro may be fearful that Brittain will be keen to follow his former team-mates Batth, Weimann and Beck to the East Midlands.