Rooney is unmoved over link to striker
DERBY County manager Wayne Rooney has been talking about his transfer plans for the summer – but says they do not include Luton Town striker James Collins.
The Rams have been linked with a move for Collins, who is out of contract this summer.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Derby and Preston North End are interested in the 30-year-old, who has helped Luton to two promotions and has scored
10 goals in 35 games for them this season.
But when asked about the Collins transfer speculation, Rooney said: “No, I know nothing of that.”
Derby brought in five players on loan on deadline day at the end of the January transfer window and Rooney has hinted he will be looking at all the different markets this summer.
“It takes a lot of planning. It is not just something you can do overnight, you need to put things in place and that is what we have been working towards,” he said.
“Loan players are important, it is important you get the right loan players in but also there are players we want to bring in for transfer fees and it is vital we get those right, too.
“It is something we are prepared for, we are ready for, and then it is down to the board that we try and get the players we want in.”
The first task for the Rams is to secure their Championship status for next season.
They have eight games remaining and go into today’s home fixture against Luton in 19th position, five points above the relegation places.
But a manager’s role involves planning for the present and the future. “The most important thing at the minute is what is right in front of us, the games, the next eight, but I need to have my plans in place to make sure we are ready to start next season well,” said Rooney.
“I have to plan for the future, it is part of my job, it is part of the role. I have to plan and look ahead to next season.”