Cameron Jerome will undergo a Derby County medical on Tuesday in a move that will pave the way for the exit of Chris Martin, according to the Telegraph.
The newspaper claim that Norwich have accepted a bid of £1.5million from Gary Rowett’s side for Jerome and the striker is set to head to Derby’s training ground to complete the transfer.
The Telegraph report that the Championship promotion chasers could help finance the move for Jerome by loaning out striker Chris Martin amid strong interest from rival clubs including Leeds United, Reading and Fulham interested.
It is said that Rowett has moved for Jerome in a bid to strengthen his squad ahead of the final run-in as the club attempt to return to the top flight for the first time since 2008.
Jerome, 31, has not started a league game for Norwich since the 2-1 defeat at Bolton on November 4 but his arrival could further push Scotland international Martin down the pecking order at Pride Park.
Sky Sports claimed in their live transfer blog (Monday, 4pm) that Leeds have set their sights on a potential loan deal for Martin and have made an approach to Derby about the possibility of a deal.
Good move for Leeds?
Martin is enduring something of a horror season and his poor scoring record – just one goal in 25 matches – explains his diminished status at Derby. But the forward would represent a decent signing for Leeds as he would be an upgrade of Pierre-Michel Lasogga, Kemar Roofe and company. Martin is something of an expert in the Championship, with 81 goals from 277 matches. He can hold the ball up, bring others into play and would bring some much-needed knowhow to a callow front line. He is a targetman in the mould of Chris Wood and could be just what Leeds need to pep up an attack that has fired blanks in the team’s last three league matches.
This Is Futbol rating 7/10
Likely to happen?
With Jerome’s arrival at Derby nailed down, it paves the way for Martin to move out on loan this month. There are reports that wages are an issue, which could make it difficult for Leeds, who are not one of the Championship’s big spenders. Much will depend on what the player wants, but United are certainly firmly in the race for his signature.
This Is Futbol rating 6/10