Exclusive: Derby County backed to beat Wrexham to Wolves transfer | OneFootball

The pair of Championship clubs are reportedly set to battle over the Wolves defender.

Veteran Premier League defender Craig Dawson is being looked at by Derby County and Wrexham this summer.

It's going to be tough for any team to beat the Red Dragons to transfers this summer, given the financial and social plusses that come with being a member of Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds' club, but John Eustace is going to have a go at it.

He wants to bring in the Wolves defender, who is set to become a free agent this summer, according to The Sun.

Wrexham will be able to offer inflated wages to the 35-year-old, but Derby's base is much closer to Dawson's current hunting ground in the midlands than Wrexham's.

Derby told to try and beat Wrexham to Craig Dawson deal

Eustace is targeting knowhow in defensive areas this summer. Football League World revealed that he would like to sign centre-back Danny Batth, as well as Andi Weimann, an attacker, from his old club Blackburn Rovers to Pride Park this summer.

For Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie, this approach of signing wiser players could be a real bonus for County as they look to climb the Championship table next season.

He exclusively told FLW that he thinks adding Dawson to the squad would be a strong move for the Rams.

"I know his age, but he's a very good pro, a modern pro," said Hendrie. "He looks after himself and, again, has experience to [get them] where they want to go.

"We've seen players come out of the Premier League in the past that have stepped down and played in the Championship. He'd have to be managed well, which I'm sure Eustace will, but he'd be a really key addition to a Derby side that I think will be a lot more stable this season, and that's why I think they're looking to have some more experienced heads.

"They've got a fair few younger players, and that's why I think they're going down this route, particularly in that centre-back role where Dawson would play.

"I feel you could get a good season out of him, and then, who knows, maybe on from there, but bringing him in and having experience in the Championship is vital."

Craig Dawson would be a strong signing for Derby County

Dawson would need some time to get back up to speed of playing regularly, which he probably would do for most second tier sides if he drops a division this summer. His last football came back in December when Wolves played against Tottenham Hotspur.

It was reported in February that the centre-half was in talks with the club to terminate his deal early as he wasn't part of the manager's, as per The Athletic.

His days as a Premier League player may have come to an end, but Dawson would almost certainly be capable of slotting into a Championship defence, like Derby's, which is already pretty decent, and making a positive impact.