NIGEL CLOUGH’S Burton Albion are beating his old club Derby County to a deal for Jake Buxton.
Veteran centre half Buxton has just ended his spell at Wigan early after expressing his desire to be closer to his family in Nottinghamshire.
And he is set to return to the Pirelli Stadium despite rival interest from the Rams.
Clough is able to offer Buxton a better chance of a game than Derby where he would be a squad player.
The 32-year-old defender has already held talks with League Two Notts County.
However, the opportunity to remain in the Championship looks to have proven too strong.
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Buxton played 42 times for the Latics last season in the second-tier after joining from Derby 12 months ago.
Clough, who signed him first for Burton in 2008 and then took him to Pride Park when he was appointed manager there, had been interested in signing the star last summer.
But his side were unable to match the financial offer from the Latics.
Upon announcing his early release, Wigan boss Paul Cook said: “We wish Jake all the best.
“I know him by reputation and by what the chairman has told me about him.
"He's a great professional who gave 100 per cent to the cause while with us and we respect the fact he has been honest.
"Sometimes in football you have to make difficult decisions with the long-term good of the club in mind, and we feel this is a move that benefits both parties."
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