Stoke City are willing to pay the compo clause for Derby County boss Gary Rowett.

The Daily Mail says the 43-year-old is Stoke's top choice to become their new manager after Mark Hughes was sacked at the weekend and a release clause in Rowett's contract of around £1.7million would not prove an impediment.

But Derby are determined to reject any approaches and keep him in place at Pride Park.

Rowett has 18 months left on the contract he signed when appointed last March and the club have been in discussions on improved terms for a number of weeks due to Derby's fine form.