tRAMsfer news: Midfield Maestro & Barnsley Backman Heading To Derby!?
Thursday, 16th Jun 2011 15:41 by Daniel J Sewart

Press reports has the Rams close to announcing the signing of Jason Shackell and surprising rumours they are chasing a creative, exciting midfielder valued at well over 2 million pounds.

Rams To Shackle Shackell!

It is believed that Shackell has asked for the transfer to be rubber stamped now that the Rams have increased their offer to near 1 million pounds.

Despite the improved figure Barnsley director Don Rowing is still clinging to the hope Jason can be convinced to stay at the club.

The 27-year-old has two years left on his current contract and manager Keith Hill will be discussing what the player wants and what they need to do to keep him in the coming days.

Rowing spoke to the media to pour water on the reports of the deal already being done:

"Our fans should know that we want to keep Jason at the club. He's a very good player and had a very good season for us.”

"He has two years left to run on his contract but a lot depends on what the player wants to do. The manager and Jason are expected to speak towards the end of the week, so until then, we don't know what's going to happen."

Most speculation has the Barnsley Captain wanting to leave and the Rams in the box seat to secure his services.

This one still may have some twists in the tail.

So for now we just play the waiting game.

Derby Chasing Vargas For Midfield Spark!

Many fans have bemoaned for years that the Rams need an Idiakez style midfielder with flair and creativity and it seems the Rams are pursuing Ronald Vargas, a Venezuelan international who has been very impressive playing for Brugge in Belgium.

Vargas has one year left on his current deal and it is believed he will be looking for a move when it has ended but Brugge may decide to cash in now rather than risk getting nothing later. It is also believed that Swansea and Blackburn are tracking the player.

Brugge handed over £1.3m for Vargas originally and are believed to be looking at a minimum £2.6m to entertain any move. Although it is believed a bigger amount may have been turned down during the year, the player was injured for much of this season and that is believed to have shifted the clubs stance on re-signing him.

The sort of money mentioned makes you doubt the Rams could genuinely be in for the player. If it is a possibility, a signing like Vargas would signal a genuine intent by the owners of DCFC and prove they are willing to inject serious money to achieve their goals.

Let’s hope that is the case.... but I wont be holding my breath!