Wayne Rooney's Derby woes are mounting as Bournemouth are trying to exploit their financial crisis with a move to prise away Rams captain Tom Lawrence.
Embattled County boss Rooney is desperate to keep the remainder of his side together as they fight relegation.
But administrators are still running the Championship club while they wait to sort a takeover.
The Rams need to provide proof of funds to complete the season and Lawrence is out of contract in the summer.
The Welsh international and ex-Manchester United trainee,28, has been one of Derby’s key performers this term.
He has eight goals and three assists to spearhead Derby’s battle for survival despite being deducted 21 points.
But vultures have been alerted to his availability after the EFL put Derby under a transfer embargo and put a block on new contracts.
It saw Phil Jagielka and Graeme Shinnie leave earlier this month plus some youngsters like Dylan Williams, whom has joined Chelsea.
Now team-mates fear skipper Lawrence could follow them out of the door which would be a devastating blow to Rooney, whose side are only eight points from safety.
Lawrence has made 171 appearances for the Rams since arriving from Leicester in 2017 and been a key member of the team under Rooney this season with 24 League appearances.
Cherries boss Scott Parker wants Lawrence to boost his side’s promotion hopes.
While Derby’s speedy winger Festy Ebosele,19, is attracting interest from at home and Germany.
The looming spectre of more player sales will dismay boss Rooney, who is among the favourites for the managerial vacancy at his old club Everton.
He has previously suggested he had received guarantees from the club’s administrators Quantuma that no players will leave Derby without his approval.
"I have been reassured no players will leave this club without my say so," Rooney told reporters recently.
"Players I want to stay, will stay. That is a real positive for me knowing I can keep the squad together.”
But sorting a takeover has proved a nightmare as the club don’t own their ground, they owe HMRC around £30m and are being sued for compensation by both Middlesbrough and Wycombe.
Potential suitors in talks to buy the club include Mike Ashley, the former Newcastle owner, a consortium including former Rams chairman Andy Appleby and separate to them, the American Binnie Brothers.
