EXCLUSIVE by Pete O’Rourke

Derby are plotting to raid Premier league side Watford for goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann, Football Insider understands.

New Derby manager Phillip Cocu is in the market for a new shot-stopper this summer as he looks to reshape the squad at Pride Park, Scott Carson and Kelle Roos sharing the goalkeeping duties last season.

A source at Derby has told Football Insider that the Rams’ boss wants to bring in a new first-choice keeper ahead of the new season and that the Hornets’ stopper has been recommended by goalkeeping coach Shay Given.

The former Republic of Ireland international worked with the Austrian during their time together at Stoke City, Bachmann leaving the Potters for Watford back in the summer of 2017.

However, the 25-year-old is yet to make a first-team appearance at Vicarage Road, with Watford well stocked in the goalkeeping department.

Heurelho Gomes has pulled a U-turn and signed a new deal at Vicarage Road, meaning there are four goalkeepers in the shape of Ben Foster, Gomes, Pontus Dahlberg and Bachmann battling for a spot in Javi Garcia’s first-team plans.

With so much competition at Watford, the Austrian was shipped out on loan to Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock last season, enjoying a successful spell north of the border with 14 clean sheets in 28 games.

Derby are hoping Watford will decide to loan out Bachmann again this summer so that he continue his development with regular first-team football rather than playing back-up at Vicarage Road.

In other Derby County news, it can be REVEALED that a Rams star is being eyed up for a move to a top-flight division this summer.