Warnock on look-out for striker

Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock is turning his attention elsewhere after being rebuffed in a move for Preston’s David Nugent.

North End striker Nugent is rated as one of the hottest properties outside the Barclays Premiership and the Coca-Cola Championship outfit have turned down £6m (€8.9m) in their determination to keep him.

Preston chairman Derek Shaw has told Warnock the 21-year-old is not for sale at any price.

“In a way it’s just as well because I think David is outrageously overpriced for what we are talking about,” Warnock said. “He is a good player and I’d love to have him, but at the moment it (the fee)

is not realistic. I can understand that because Preston are trying to get into the Premiership.”

Warnock, who has signed three players from Leeds since the Blades won promotion last year, could now approach the Elland Road club again with a bid for Northern Ireland forward David Healy.

Hamilton manager Billy Reid has confirmed that Liverpool have made an offer for 16-year-old Jamie McCarthy.

The young attacking midfielder has attracted attention from several clubs since making his first-team debut against Queen of the South in September.

He has just started a trial with Reading, and Reid said: “Liverpool have made an offer for Jamie but he has not refused or accepted as yet.”

McCarthy spent last week on trial at Melwood and as a result of his performance the Anfield club tabled their undisclosed offer to the Scottish Division One side.

Liverpool are also keen on signing Italy Under-21 goalkeeper Daniele Padelli, according to the player’s agent.

The Sampdoria player has made just one league appearance since joining Serie B club Crotone on loan in the summer.

As a result, Sampdoria have the right to cancel the loan deal with Crotone and are considering an offer which agent Silvano Martina claims has been made by the Premiership club for the 21-year-old.

“Liverpool are interested in Padelli,” Martina said. “He is a promising goalkeeper. If he were to join Liverpool in the winter transfer market, it would be on a permanent basis.”

Derby have confirmed the signing of Hull striker Craig Fagan for a fee of £750,000 (€1.1m).

The 24-year-old, whose contract with Hull was due to expire at the end of the season, becomes Billy Davies’ second capture of the transfer window after agreeing a three-and-a-half-year contract with the Rams.

Fagan, a former Birmingham trainee, joined Hull from Colchester two years ago and has scored six goals this season, four in his last seven games.