Paul Warne plotting Derby County transfer raid - Plymouth Argyle are also keen | OneFootball

The former Rams head coach is leading the race to sign Curtis Nelson ahead of the Pilgrims

Paul Warne's MK Dons are apparent favourites to beat Plymouth Argyle, Mansfield Town and Burton Albion for the signature of Derby County defender Curtis Nelson.

FLW exclusively revealed at the start of December that the Rams are open to offers for the 32-year-old centre-back this January, with his current contract set to expire at the end of the current season.

This transfer pursuit of one of his former Derby players represents the latest move in an ambitious January window for Warne, who has already strengthened his squad with the arrival of midfielder Ben Wiles from Huddersfield Town - which was again first revealed by FLW, as well as another exclusive being confirmed with Sunderland's Jay Matete signing permanently.

Paul Warne's MK Dons reportedly favourites to sign Derby County's Curtis Nelson

Perhaps every Derby fan at this stage knows that Nelson's future at the club has become increasingly uncertain following his absence from the last two Championship matchday squads, against Leicester City and Wrexham respectively.

Warne's successor at Derby, John Eustace, revealed to BBC Radio Derby after the Wrexham loss that there have been "enquiries" about "two or three of our players" - and it's highly likely that one of those was Warne wanting to sign Nelson.

According to Football Insider, MK Dons are leading the chase to sign the experienced defender this winter window, with his current Derby contract up at the end of the season.

The report notes that multiple EFL clubs - including former club Plymouth Argyle, Mansfield Town and Burton Albion have also shown an interest in the Rams 23/24 Player of the Season winner.

It's a subject that divides opinion amongst many Derby supporters, but the East Midlands outfit are stacked in the centre-back department and Nelson has seemingly slipped to the bottom of the pecking order.

Nelson wasn't even registered in the Derby squad until Owen Beck was all-but confirmed to have been sent back to Liverpool via injury - with the centre-back having just recovered from his own fitness problems, so there was every chance he wasn't actually going to play under Eustace this season.

Nelson's only appearance for Derby this season was on Boxing Day against Birmingham City - and he was brought on at half-time solely because of Ebou Adams' red card in a bid to further shore up at the back.

Plymouth Argyle will hope Curtis Nelson snubs Paul Warne for a Home Park reunion

Nelson was the fourth permanent signing of the Paul Warne era at Derby, and arguably one of the best alongside the aforementioned midfielder Adams, so it's not a surprise to learn that he is snooping around the defender once more.

But it seems as though Tom Cleverley will have to hope Nelson fancies going back to Home Park instead of trying out Stadium MK, and that's even without considering Mansfield or Burton.

The ex-Oxford United and Cardiff City ace began his professional career at Plymouth and established himself as a key figure during his eight-year spell at Home Park - eventually becoming the club's youngest-ever captain at just 19 years old in 2013.

A return to the Pilgrims would complete a circle for the defender, though with MK reportedly leading the race for his signature, Cleverley may find himself unable to persuade the player to come back - despite the divisional difference.

If Nelson was to re-sign for Warne once more, it would just add to the clear message of intent from the former Rams boss - signalling his ambition to get back to managing in League One at the earliest opportunity.

The last time that happened, Warne got Derby promoted. There's no denying that with a trio of Wiles, Matete and Nelson - the expectations will be that he will have to get MK out of League Two this season.