The 29-year-old is surplus to requirements at Pride Park as Paul Jewell looks to rebuild his squad following the club's nightmare year in the Premier League.

Teale, who joined the Rams from Wigan Athletic in January 2007 for £600,000, made 18 appearances in the top flight last season before joining Plymouth Argyle on loan in February.

The Yorkshire Post understands United have approached Derby over the Scottish international's availability and have been quoted a price in the region of £500,000.

The Rams have already made six signings this summer and are now awaiting a response from Gary McAllister who is also keeping track of a number of transfer targets.

Celtic striker Derek Riordan is on the United manager's radar, while the Yorkshire Post exclusively revealed this week that McAllister had enquired about West Brom's out-of-contract striker Kevin Phillips, whose agent confirmed the approach, before stressing that a deal would be "unlikely" due to United's League One status.

Phillips, who netted 22 Championship goals last term, is understandably in demand with the Baggies having offered him a new one-year deal, while interest has also come from Stoke City, QPR and Derby with the Rams also believed to be keen on Sheffield United's Rob Hulse.

If a deal can be struck with Derby over Teale, the 29-year-old would become McAllister's second signing of the summer with Swansea City winger Andy Robinson set to join on a free transfer next month.

Providing Teale does move to Elland Road, it will help McAllister go a long way towards solving the lack of width that dogged his side for much of last season.

Teale, who has two years left on his contract, started his career at Clydebank and eventually joined Wigan in 2001 to help them win promotion from the third and second tiers of English football.

He then made 36 Premier League appearances for Wigan before moving to Derby where he helped them triumph in the Championship play-offs.

One man who seems likely to be heading out of Elland Road is Anthony Elding after Crewe Alexandra renewed their interest in the striker.

According to sources in Cheshire, the 26-year-old is wanted by Alexandra despite opting for a move to Elland Road rather than Gresty Road in January after both clubs had agreed a fee of around £100,000 with Stockport County. He has made just four starts for Leeds.