Derby County manager Wayne Rooney is reportedly set to face a huge battle to keep hold of first-team star Curtis Davies amid new transfer interest, according to The Mirror.

The Lowdown: Facing an uncertain future

After going into administration last September, the Rams were hit with a 12-point deduction from the English Football League, and after a second points hit ended up getting relegated to League One following a 1-0 Championship defeat at the hands of QPR.

Despite preferred bidder Chris Kirchner being granted an exclusivity period extension by Quantuma in his mission to take over the club, the fact that they currently don’t have any financial stability, in addition to a deal not yet being agreed, means that all of the County staff and players are in limbo when it comes down to trying to complete any upcoming transfer window business.

The Latest: Davies attracting interest

In a transfer update published in the last 48 hours by The Mirror, it’s claimed that Davies is just one of several Derby players now being ‘chased’ after their drop down to the third-tier.

The source further states that the centre-back would be ‘open to staying’, but is ‘attracting interest’ from his former club Hull and Championship side Bristol City.

The Verdict: A hammer blow

If the Rams colossus were to depart Pride Park this summer, it would come as a huge blow to Rooney as the experienced defender has been an absolute rock at the heart of that backline this season, despite failing to avoid the drop.

Davies has been a regular feature of Rooney’s matchday squads, having started all 46 league games this term, scoring four goals during that time, as per Transfermarkt.

Given the fact that the veteran is out of contract at the end of June, not to mention the current financial struggles that the club currently find themselves in, it will prove to be a difficult task to keep hold of the Leytonstone-born talent and deny him the opportunity of a move to a team in the division above.

In other news… Derby could be set to face a new threat ahead of the start of next season.