Derby County midfielder Graeme Shinnie could be heading for an exit from Pride Park this summer.

What's the talk?

That's according to a report by the East Anglia Daily Times, who claim that Ipswich Town have turned their attention towards the 30-year-old in the summer transfer window, after the League One side missed out on the signing of Luton Town midfielder Joe Morrel.

The report goes on to state that the Scotland international is entering the final year of his contract at Derby, as well as mentioning the fact that the Rams are currently operating under an EFL transfer embargo as a result of their dire financial situation, suggesting that Mel Morris could be tempted to cash in on the player if a reasonable bid is submitted.

Grave error

While it is indeed true that Derby are in rather desperate need of funds this summer, it is not a difficult argument to make that cashing in on the supporters' Player of the Season would be a grave error by the Rams' chairman.

Indeed, over his 41 Championship appearances last time out, the £1.62m-rated man scored three goals, registered one assist and created three big chances for his teammates, as well as making an average of 1.1 key passes and taking 0.9 shots per game.

The midfielder also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 1.2 interceptions, 2.1 tackles, 1.2 clearances and winning 5.6 duels per match.

These returns saw the man Derek McInnes dubbed an "excellent" player earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.98, ranking him as Wayne Rooney's fifth-best player in the second tier of English football.

As such, considering the already limited squad with which the 35-year-old manager is operating this season, Morris sanctioning the sale of one of his most consistent performers ahead of what is sure to be a challenging and arduous Championship campaign would undoubtedly leave Rooney, as well as fans of the club, rightly fuming.

In other news: Derby County plotting swoop for "outstanding" £25k-p/w beast, Rooney would love him