Derby lead race to sign red-hot Northern Irish striker Lee Bonis in bargain transfer.. even if they don’t get promoted

DERBY head the race to sign Northern Irish striker Lee Bonis.

The Larne striker, 23, has 16 goals this season.

Larne star Lee Bonis is being targeted by Derby ahead of the summer transfer windowRex

And Bonis could now move for about £200,000 in the summer.

League One Rams are chasing promotion – currently sitting sixth in the third tier.

But they may bid for him even if they do not go back up to the Championship.

Dundee United have also been linked with a summer move for the centre-forward.

Bonis’ impressive displays have helped fire Larne to the Irish Premiership title.

The ex-Northern Ireland Under-21 international has been a revelation for the champions after moving from Portadown last year in a £100,000 deal.

Larne manager Tiernan Lynch is braced for the forward’s departure but insists the Derby target will not be sold on the cheap.

Lynch said: “My honest answer is that I think Lee has the capabilities to get across the water.

“I think he has all the attributes that teams would be looking for — big, strong, physical, athletic and scores goals.

“I don’t think you would get Lee for anything less than £300,000.

“I think you need to flip that back and ask if potential clubs can afford not to look at someone like Lee?

“In today’s market, £300,000 isn’t a huge amount of money.”