Bristol City transfer target Curtis Davies is edging closer to staying at Derby County, according to reports.
The veteran centre-back has been on Nigel Pearson's radar this summer, with Hull City also keen, but The Sun's Alan Nixon reports the Rams have opened contract talks with the 37-year-old.
Derby, relegated to League One last season as a result of a points deduction for entering administration and breaching financial regulations, have been unable to sign players so far this summer, but manager Wayne Rooney is set to be given the green light to start adding to his squad with Chris Kirchner's takeover set to be confirmed soon.
As a result, Derby have entered talks with former Aston Villa and Birmingham City defender Davies, who played every minute for the Rams in the Championship last season and is seen as a key player in their attempts to bounce back from relegation at the first time of asking.
Pearson was eager to add experience to his defence last season and the free agent signing of Switzerland international Timm Klose in January paid off. With the 34-year-old centre-back putting pen to paper on a new 12-month contract this week, with the option for a further year, the need to bring in a Davies-like veteran this summer appears to have been taken care of.
The Robins also added versatile defender Kal Naismith from Luton Town earlier this month, with City moving proactively in the transfer market. Midfielder Mark Sykes has also joined from Oxford United.
SIGN UP: For our daily Robins newsletter, bringing you the latest from Ashton Gate
