If Derby's strikers were as prolific as their boss has been so far in this summer's transfer market, the Rams would probably still be a Premier League side.

Unfortunately they are not, but at least Paul Jewell is splashing some cash in a bid to get Derby back into the top flight at the first attempt.

Having already secured the services of (deep breath) Kris Commons, Ruben Zadkovich, Paul Connolly, Nathan Ellington, Jordan Stewart and Paul Green (exhale), Jewell's latest target is Sheffield United striker Rob Hulse.

Jewell has a £1 million bid ready to table at Bramall Lane as he continues his Pride Park revolution with the capture of what would be a seventh new player.

Jewell himself has moved to dismiss speculation linking him with the Blackburn job, insisting that he is in for the long haul with the Rams and that his "only focus is Derby County".

Meanwhile David Jones's move to Wolves appears to have collapsed after the Rams midfielder failed to agree personal terms at Molineux.

Fellow Championship new boys Swansea may have entered the division from an entirely different direction to Derby, but their mission statement appears to be similar - beef up the squad ahead of the new campaign.

Swans boss Roberto Martinez has made good use of his excellent links in Spain to secure the services of Espanyol midfielder Jordi Gomez on a year-long loan deal. Gomez joins compatriot Gulliem Bauza - who penned a long term deal last week - at The Liberty Stadium.

But Martinez not just looking to his homeland for new talent - he has joined to race to sign Hibernian winger Alan O'Brien , although Swansea will face stiff opposition from Barnsley to capture the Republic of Ireland international.

Andrew Cole may be 36-years-old, but the one-time Treble winning striker is not quite ready to end his long and illustrious career. Having been released by Sunderland earlier this summer following a loan spell with Burnley last season, Cole has now been targeted by Norwich boss Glenn Roeder.

In other transfer tittle-tattle, Sheffield Wednesday are battling Cardiff to sign Darren Byfield, who has been released from Bristol City, while Owls boss Brian Laws is also chasing Bartosz Slusarski on a season-long loan from West Brom.

Leicester have told Ipswich they will have to up the ante to £1.75 million if they are to snare defender Gareth McAuley, while Reading could let misfit midfielder Emerse Fae join Nice on loan next season.

Finally, Bristol Rovers are set to sign Jeff Hughes after the defender was released by Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock and Sheffield United are in the hunt for Colchester 's £500,000-rated goalkeeper Dean Gerken.

Eurosport