Newcastle United will reportedly have to pay Derby County £2m in compensation to prise away Steve McClaren this summer.

Former England manager McClaren is thought to be high on the Magpies' wishlist if they choose not to give current interim boss John Carver a contract beyond the end of this season.

According to The Telegraph, Newcastle will have to fork out a hefty fee because of McClaren's three-year Derby deal which began at the start of this season.

If McClaren does swap the East Midlands for the North-East, he will reportedly be given a large transfer budget by Toon owner Mike Ashley.

Derby will hope that the 53-year-old can lead them to promotion to the Premier League so that he is more likely to remain at the iPro Stadium.

However, the Rams are the most out-of-form side in the race having gone six games without a win to drop to fifth in the table.