Derby boss Frank Lampard wants to make Gary Cahill his first big signing of the summer.
The Rams boss is poised to swoop for his former Chelsea team mate if The Rams clinch promotion to the Premier League.
The deal for the 33-year-old will hinge on Derby beating Aston Villa in Monday’s Championship play-off final at Wembley.
Former Chelsea skipper Cahill is a free agent after seven years at Stamford Bridge and Lampard hopes the club will be able to finance a deal should they go up.
If they fall at the final hurdle then the kind of wages Cahill would be looking for would almost certainly kill their interest.
Paul Pogba transfer: Real Madrid star Toni Kroos discusses Man Utd exit
The former England defender knows he would need to take a big cut on his £75,000 a week Chelsea salary but is in a strong negotiating position given the fact that he’s available on a free, which gives clubs leeway to cut a deal.
Cahill enjoyed a glittering career at The Bridge winning the two Premier League titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League.
But his final season has been a disappointing one with only eight appearances under Maurizio Sarri.
Man City 'to offer Gabriel Jesus to Atletico Madrid' in huge transfer swap deal
Cahill believes there’s still plenty in the tank and has publicly said he envisages another three or four years as a player.
But he failed to win over Sarri and ended up losing respect for the Italian after being offered no explanation for being out of the team.
Derby know they will have to move quickly with West Ham , Southampton and Sheffield United all rumoured to be interested.
