Bigger clubs so keen on Rams youngsters
DERBY County could receive a combined fee of £750,000 for three Academy players, it is being reported.
The youngsters, unnamed at this stage, are wanted by Manchester United.
Such movement can happen between Category One academies before youngsters sign their first professional deals at 17.
This was the case recently when Kaide Gordon joined Liverpool.
Gordon became the fourthyoungest player in Derby’s history when he made his debut as a substitute against Birmingham City on December 29. He was named on the bench for the next three League games.
He has signed for Liverpool initially on a scholarship deal for an “undisclosed compensation agreement” believed to be more than £1m and potentially rising to £3m.
Derby were keen to keep Gordon.
“Kaide is a fantastic player. I brought him into the first team squad because he was showing the qualities I want. We offered him a deal which he didn’t take,” said manager Wayne Rooney.
“As always when a player doesn’t sign up, if any of the big clubs in the Premier League come in, it is very difficult to deny the player that opportunity.
“For his development, of course I would have liked him to stay at the club. But I understand once the champions of England come in and want to sign you, it is difficult to turn it down.”
In such situations, clubs will look to reach an agreed compensation fee rather than going to tribunal.
There had been reports that the three Academy youngsters wanted by United formed some kind of swap deal for Teden Mengi, who joined the Rams on loan from United on transfer deadline day, but this was dismissed by Rooney.
“Teden is not to do with any other player. That (Mengi’s loan move) is nothing to do with any other deals that are going on with Manchester
United,” said Rooney.
Young midfielder Courtney Clarke has made three appearances for Derby’s Under18s during a trial period, according to reports.
The 17-year-old, who has had trials with West Ham United and Leicester City, plays for Croydon-based Whyteleafe of the Isthmian League South East Division, the eighth tier of English football.
Both West Ham and Manchester City are reportedly tracking Clarke, who has been described as a “Patrick Vieratype”
box-to-box midfielder.
Derby’s Under-18s have featured a number of trialists in recent games, including Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Brighton & Hove Albion, Millwall and Charlton Athletic are also said to be keeping an eye on Clarke.
He featured for West Ham’s Under-18s in a game against Fulham in September last year and later had a trial with Leicester, playing in a 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur Under-18s.