STOCKPORT County defender Michael Raynes is the man Southend United want to replace Peter Clarke.

But the Shrimpers are struggling to match the asking price for the centre-back.

Blues boss Steve Tilson confirmed to the Echo that he was interested in signing the 21-year-old.

However, sources close to Stockport claim Southend have yet to meet County’s valuation of their captain which is believed to be around £50,000.

“There has certainly been interest from Southend in Michael but at the moment they haven’t offered what Stockport are asking,” said the source.

“With the club being in administration he is available on the cheap and could go for around £50,000 but Southend have not gone that high yet.”

Subsequently, the Shrimpers could now face competition for the defender’s signature as Motherwell, who are managed by Raynes’ former boss at Edgeley Park Jim Gannon, have joined the race to sign him.

Raynes, who stands at six foot two inches tall, is exactly the type of player wanted by Tilson who is keen to recruit a commanding centre-back similar in style to Dorian Dervite who impressed while on loan from Tottenham Hotspur towards the end of last season.

Raynes emerged through the youth system at Stockport and has made 131 first team appearances, scoring six goals.

He played in both games against Southend last season and the Shrimpers remain keen to snap up him to figure alongside captain Adam Barrett at the heart of the defence.

Tilson is desperate to find a new centre-back this summer after losing player of the season Clarke to Huddersfield Town on a free transfer and Dervite who has now returned to Tottenham.

The Seasiders chief currently has Estonian international Andrei Stepanov at the club on trial and he will figure during the forthcoming pre-season friendlies.