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Cardiff City will have to pay at least £2.5m to tempt winger Johnny Russell away from Derby County - nearly double the fee they were hoping could land the Scottish international.

Russell opened pre-season for County in sizzling form and scored in their opening fixture against Grimsby Town.

Manager Paul Clement was delighted with Russell’s performance after he went on for the second half at Blundell Park and Derby want to keep him in their squad.

Watch: Johnny Russell's pre-season wonder goal

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Sources in the midlands suggest County could yet be tempted by the right offer, but Cardiff would have to pay £2.5m or more.

Russell was Derby’s best player against Grimsby, replacing summer signing Tom Ince after half-time and outshining his rival for the wide berth.

Related:Derby fans say £1m nowhere near enough for Russell

The stance at Derby remains that they will keep Russell, who even after the arrival of Ince is certainly one of their best wide men.

Derby made it clear a few weeks ago that Russell was not for sale, but Cardiff have kept their interest alive.

They have not made a firm offer, but Russell is still highly placed among their list of targets for the summer.

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(Image: Action Images / Paul Harding)

The 25-year-old is a firm favourite among Derby fans, having made the move from Dundee United in a £750,000 transfer two years ago. He has made 87 appearances for County, scoring 17 goals.

Cardiff are unlikely to pay a big fee for Russell because they are well blessed with wingers with after loan signing Sammy Ameobi joined Matty Kennedy, Craig Noone, Anthony Pilkington and Kadeem Harris in the first team squad.