Stoke City are reportedly reluctant to send Ryan Shotton out on loan following interest from Championship side Derby County.
The Rams are believed to be keen to sign the 25-year-old, who has slipped down the rankings at the Britannia.
Derby are proposing a loan move, but according to the Derby Telegraph, the Premier League outfit would prefer to sell Shotton than sanction a temporary move.
Shotton, who has one year remaining on his contract with the Potters, spent half of last season on loan at Wigan Athletic.
The versatile player made his senior debut for Stoke back in 2007, but has not featured for the club in 15 months.