Derby County pushing to seal deal for Middlesbrough midfielder | OneFootball

The Rams are looking to complete a double deal for Boro duo Matt Clarke and Barlaser before next Monday's deadline.

Derby County have held talks with Middlesbrough over a move for midfielder Daniel Barlaser.

That's according to The Telegraph, with the Rams looking to work a double deal with Michael Carrick's side for the 28-year-old and his teammate Matt Clarke, after Football League World exclusively revealed on Friday that they are leading the way to sign the centre-back on loan for the rest of the season.

Paul Warne is desperately searching for reinforcements with his team now in the relegation zone in the Championship after a run of six defeats in a row in the league.

Derby may be about to come into money, with Brighton closing in on a £10m deal for Eiran Cashin, although the East Midlands outfit are looking for a package worth £15m.

Derby target Middlesbrough's Barlaser

The Rams have held talks with Middlesbrough to bring Barlaser to Pride Park, as Warne looks to strengthen his midfield.

However, they do face competition from Blackburn Rovers, as per The Telegraph, and Darren Witcoop has reported on X that an unnamed League One club are also showing an interest in the former Rotherham United man, with the Teessiders willing to let him go in the transfer window.

Barlaser has a year-and-a-half left on his contract, but he has found game time harder to come by this season. He has made 19 appearances in the Championship for Boro in 2024/25, but he has started only 11 times, and he was an unused sub in his side's 2-1 defeat to Preston North End on Saturday.

Derby are looking to work a double deal with Middlesbrough for Clarke and the defensive midfielder ahead of deadline day on Monday 3 February, and the now extremely likely sale of Cashin will only help fund any potential moves.

Warne is looking to improve the core of his squad

While letting go of Cashin will be tough to take, for the good of the rest of the squad it is necessary, as improvements are needed in every department.

Warne wants more experience in his ranks, and having worked with Barlaser at Rotherham in the past, he knows what he can bring to Derby as they look to turn around their dismal run of form.

The Rams have incredibly tough clashes against Sheffield United, Norwich City and Oxford United coming up, and without reinforcements, it seems unlikely that they will be able to take a solid points haul from this block of games.

Derby have to start picking up points soon, and the introduction of new faces in DE24 will only help with that.