Last Updated: Tue, 13 May 2008 10:58
Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United are now reportedly fighting it out for the signature of Derby striker Robert Earnshaw.
It was confirmed on Monday that the Wales international was left out of Derby's 16-man squad for their final Premier League game of the campaign against Reading because a bid of around £2.75million had been accepted by the club from a mystery suitor.
It is now being suggested that newly-promoted Forest are the team as they look for the 28-year-old to spearhead their attack in the Championship next season. However, the Guardian on Tuesday claims Sheffield United boss Kevin Blackwell has moved to hijack Forest's bid to sign Earnshaw by offering the same money to the Rams.
With both bids accepted it would be a case of Earnshaw deciding which club is offering the best personal terms and prospects of regular first-team football next season following a disappointing campaign at Pride Park in which he made just eight appearances.