Liam Boyce’s Ross County career looks to be nearing an end with English Championship side Burton Albion set to increase their bid for the forward.
The Staggies have turned down an offer from Nigel Clough’s side for the Northern Ireland international but are bracing themselves for an improved offer.
Burton’s initial bid for Boyce fell short of the £500,000 release clause in his contract but the Brewers remain keen on taking the forward to Pirelli Stadium.
The Staggies are desperate to keep Boyce, who has a year left on his contract at Victoria Park, but County manager Jim McIntyre confirmed his prize asset is in demand.
McIntyre said: “We’ve had a bid for Liam and we’ve said no to it. That’s where it stands.
“I’m not going to talk about what we’ve got in any player’s contract.
“All I’ll say is Burton want Liam. There’s been a bid placed and a bid rejected.”
Boyce enjoyed an excellent campaign with the Staggies last year, netting 24 goals in all competitions and ending the season as the Premiership’s leading scorer.
The attacker netted his first goal for Northern Ireland this month in a 1-0 friendly win against New Zealand and played once again in his side’s World Cup qualifying victory against Azerbaijan on Saturday.
Burton manager Clough, who broke his club’s record transfer fee to sign Australian midfielder Jackson Irvine from the Staggies in a £300,000 deal last summer, confirmed his pursuit of Boyce.
Clough said: “He’s a player we are interested in but that’s as far as it has gone. The report of us triggering a clause is not true.”
Should Boyce move to Albion it appears unlikely he will be linking up with former County team-mate Irvine.
The Australian international midfielder is a reported target of Aston Villa and Derby County after being named player of the year by his club following an impressive first season in English football.