Interest is growing in Derby County centre-forward Martyn Waghorn ahead of the summer transfer window.

What's the talk?

That's according to a report by Football League World, who claimed that Ipswich Town are considering a move for the £1.8m-rated 31-year-old as the striker looks likely to become available on a free transfer upon the expiry contract at Pride Park this summer - unless the Rams offer him a new deal.

Waghorn must go

So far this season, Waghorn has been in rather disappointing form over his 31 Championship appearances for Wayne Rooney's side, with the 31-year-old scoring just three goals and registering three assists, as well as losing an average of 64% of his duels and giving away possession of the ball 8.1 times per game.

The £7,900-per-week forward also averages of a mere 0.3 interceptions, 0.5 tackles and wins possession 0.2 times per game, demonstrating his overall lack of commitment to the cause - something which is also reflected in his average SofaScore match rating of 6.62, ranking him as the Rams' 11th-worst performer in the second tier.

As such, regardless of what league Derby happen to be playing their football in next season, it would seem as if they would not be any worse off without Waghorn on their books, as the former Ipswich forward - whom Frank Lampard signed for £5.04m in 2018 - does not appear to be giving anywhere near 100% for the side, something which would more than likely continue to be the case if he were offered a new deal in the summer.

If we were Rooney, the 31-year-old - of whom Ryan Conway has previously, and somewhat surprisingly, claimed he would "never question his work-rate", as well as dubbing the forward a "problem" for defenders - would be getting nowhere near the starting XI for the crucial fixture against Sheffield Wednesday coming up on Saturday, where defeat would ensure that Derby will be playing their football in League One next season

In other news: Rooney must avoid Derby swoop for 29 y/o flop who "plays like he's on roller-skates" - opinion