Byrne set to stay if clause is triggered in Rams contract
CHRIS Kirchner has responded to claims that Derby County defender Nathan Byrne has had a clause in his contract activated that extends his deal at Pride Park by a year.
It has been reported that Byrne has played enough games for the Rams to allow them to trigger an option that would put him under contract until the end of the 2022-23 season
Byrne was one of the many players who were due to see their contract expire this summer.
He has been a key player for Derby since he joined from Wigan Athletic in summer 2020 and was a contender for player of the season after his performances in 2021-22.
Scottish champions Celtic are said to have been interested, while Championship trio Millwall, Stoke City and Preston North End have all been linked with the 29 year-old right-back too.
Kirchner has “liked” a tweet referencing Byrne’s contract extension.
The American businessman has stated that he will finally complete his deal to buy the Rams out of administration tomorrow, the deadline for it to happen.
Byrne was superb for Derby in their doomed quest to avoid relegation to League One, appearing 41 times and registering two assists.
He has played at right-back all season but has a licence to bomb forward and support attacks and occasionally comes into the central midfield role to supplement the forward players.
The former Swindon Town man would be a real asset to Derby in League One as they look to bounce back after relegation for the first time in 15 years.
He has been arguably one of the best attacking full-backs in the Championship, hence the clamour for his signature on a free transfer.
When Kirchner is officially handed the reins at Pride Park, it is hoped there will be a flurry of activity in the form of fresh ink on contracts for the rest of Byrne’s team-mates, who are technically free agents.
It is well documented, but still worth repeating, that only Krystian Bielik, Jason Knight, Max Bird, Louie Sibley and Jack Stretton are under contract beyond the end of next month.
The rumour mill is also suggesting that Luke Plange, now a Crystal Palace player, is wanted on loan by Coventry City, with Palace manager Patrick Vieira said to be keen to send him back out to a Championship team to further his experience.
Though Derby’s season only ended three weeks ago, there appears to be clarity for the first time in a while at Pride Park.
Saturday saw Port Vale win promotion to League One through the play-offs.
That means the 2022-23 line up for League One is complete, with the Rams set to renew old rivalries and forge some new ones.
The fixtures will be released on June 23, with the first game set to be played on July 30.
FORMER Derby County striker Morgan Whittaker could face the Rams next season.
The 21-year-old moved to Swansea City in January 2021 for a reported fee of around £700,000 but spent the second half of last season on loan with Lincoln City.
Now it has been suggested that Portsmouth, who again fell short of the League One play-offs, are keen to complete a summer move for Whittaker.
Whittaker scored five goals in 20 appearances for Lincoln.
Walesonline report that the striker is keen to “kickstart his career” away from the Liberty Stadium, while The News in Portsmouth suggest that Pompey remain keen on the forward but would only consider a permanent move.
Pompey could use Swansea’s reported interest in their former Burton Albion forward Marcus Harness as a lever in a possible deal.
Whittaker came up through the youth team at Derby, making his debut in 2019. He scored one goal in 32 appearances. He has scored five times in 22 games for Swansea.