The Rams' reputation as penny pinchers, when it comes to their less than satisfactory bids, has been labelled ‘ridiculous’ by Barnsley after two offers have reportedly been refused by the club for their captain.

The Tykes' general manager Don Rowing was damning of the price Derby believed their reigning player of the year is worth.

During an interview with BBC Radio Sheffield, Rowing revealed that the Rams had tabled not just one but two bids for Shackell. He was quite insulted that the ‘ridiculous’ numbers being offered were well below his clubs own valuation and in turn had immediately turned both down without any consideration.

Media reports set the first bid at £700,000 but there have been no reports till now that a second improved bid had been tabled by Derby.

Shackell has been a revelation for Barnsley since joining the club from Wolves last summer, having been handed the captain’s arm band and being voted the fans favourite in his first full season at the club.

It seems the Rams' history of offering below the odds for players they are targeting is continuing and once again by doing so have alerted other clubs to their movements.

You would think a few friendly phone calls and enquiries as to a club's valuation and player availability would work wonders.

There could be more to it than meets the eye and I know that you have to try and get the right player at the right price. But you start to wonder when a bid causes a general manager to attack you on local radio coupled with the fact that the same thing has happened a couple of times before.

Does  this point to either extremely bad luck - or an extremely poor set-up in the transfer department?

I’ll let you decide which it may be.

Tyson Turns On Trees

After much speculation that Forest had not been interesting in retaining the services of flag specialist Nathan Tyson, the Trees have moved to hose down that speculation and state that it is in fact the player who wants to move on.

Forest had offered Tyson a new deal but the 29 year-old has opted instead to move on, and since making that decision has been linked with the Rams, Ipswich and Hull.

Forest chief executive Mark Arthur spoke about the situation:

"Under normal circumstances we would not be discussing matters like this in public but as a club we feel there is a need to explain the situation.”

“Over the last season the club has been in regular contact with Nathan’s agent, chartered accountant Andy Weekes, and we informed him that we would be making an offer, in line with Football League regulations, when we knew what division we would be playing in next season.”

“In the fullness of time we did that but were subsequently told by Mr Weekes that he was no longer Nathan’s agent and that the player’s matters were being dealt with by his father. Mr Len Tyson is neither a FA-registered agent nor an FA-registered close relative, who can act for players on a non-charging basis.”

 "Despite this, Nathan’s father has informed us that Nathan has rejected our contract offer. We would like to thank Nathan for his five years’ service and wish him well for the future.”

Tyson’s father has a different spin on the story:

 "Unfortunately, Nathan is leaving Forest. He is very upset. He is perplexed at the way this has been done because he feels he has given the club loyal service for the past five years. The way this has been done shows a lack of respect.”

"The club has not discussed this with him since his last contract was signed. All it needed was a phone call or meeting telling him he was no longer part of their plans and Nathan could have prepared his family for the pending move.”

"We have a lot of options now but we have probably narrowed it down to four clubs and will be making a decision soon. Nathan has always given 100% for Forest. He never spat his dummy out after being asked to play out of position. Every fan knows left midfield is not his best position.”

"Now he just wants to get away and get his career back on track. This is no snub to the marvellous Forest fans. They have supported him from day one and always gave him a warm reception."

So it seems that the parties will agree to disagree but whatever the case, Nathan Tyson will be plying his trade somewhere else next season and the Rams will need to beat significant opposition to secure his signature.

Whether or not you want the flag waving fool at Pride Park there is one factor in the Rams favour should they decide to pursue Tyson.

They do not have to negotiate a transfer fee.

Mind you, negotiating with his father may be a more difficult a hurdle.

Jason Shackell, Nathan Tyson or both? Would you like to see one or either players in a Derby shirt?

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Photo: Action Images

pkay_brum added 15:55 - Jun 2 Wouldn't the act of negotiating terms through an unregistered third party such as a relative be subject to FA scrutiny, possibly for the use of an unauthorised agent? Derby could be subject to penalties if that were the case (though the QPR fiasco has left the judgement of such cases in total confusion..!) DCFC need to be quite clear on how to proceed, or they may well suffer a different kind of nonsense at Tyson's doing than the flag-waving indisciplines.

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