Rams eye £500,000 swoop for defender

Derby are reportedly set to launch a £500,000 raid for Cardiff's Darren Purse but face competition for Swansea midfielder Ferrie Bodde.

Rams boss Paul Jewell is keen to strengthen the centre of his defence with veteran Darren Moore on his way out at Pride Park as the Rams set about the task of winning an immediate return to the Premier League.

Purse, 31, earned a growing band of admirers last season as he helped Cardiff reach the FA Cup Final but whether Bluebirds manager Dave Jones is keen to sell one of his most experienced players remains to be seen.

Cardiff sold highly-rated teenage Aaron Ramsay to Arsenal for £5m at the start of this month and, far from losing players, Jones is likely to want to carry out some strengthening of his own at Ninian Park.

Meanwhile, Derby are now facing competition from Premier League new boys West Brom for Swansea's Dutch midfielder Ferrie Bodde.

The Rams have reportedly failed with three bids for the 26-year-old Dutchman, who has also been linked with Reading and Sunderland, but the newly-promoted Baggies are said to be keen on the £2m man.

The Swans are apparently eager to keep hold of Bodde but he could be lured by West Brom's Premier League status rather than joining Derby in the Championship.