Search continues as Rams look to sharpen attack

DURSUN STAYS IN GERMANY, WHILE AUSTIN CONTINUES TO BE LINKED

IF Derby County didn’t feel a move for Serdar Dursun was right for them, they were right to move on.

The Rams are in the market for a striker and they did have conversations with Dursun’s club, SV Darmstadt 98.

There were also reports in Germany claiming the Rams made three bids for the 28-year-old centre forward.

There has been much conjecture over the price tag on Dursun. Reports suggest the Bundesliga 2 club was looking for £1.5m to £1.8m for a player who is out of contract in the summer and has no experience of playing in England, and therefore the Championship.

It is being reported by German media outlet hessenschau.de that SV Darmstadt turned down £1m.

Whatever the ‘bids’ or the fee wanted, Dursun was only one of three or four targets on Derby’s radar and that is why club’s have a number of possible options.

Any deal Derby do in this window, or any window, has to be right for the club, and right for the development of the team.

Their search continues and they have until 5pm on October 16 to find a striker as that is when the domestic window shuts.

The German transfer window closed at 5pm yesterday and Dursun was in the SV Darmstadt squad for last night’s game at Nuremberg.

Meanwhile, Charlie Austin to the Rams is transfer talk that will not go away, nor is it likely to even after the international window closed at 11pm last night.

If Derby want to sign Austin, there is no rush as EFL clubs can still do business with Premier League clubs until October 16.

It appears West Bromwich Albion are looking to move out one or two players and Austin was not in their 18 for Sunday’s defeat at Southampton. He has not figured in the Premier League for the Baggies this season.

He is 31-years-old and in the final year of his contract. He needs to be playing first-team football and Derby are looking for a striker who can be a focal point of their attack.

He has played in the Championship before, he has scored goals at this level, he knows the position and he offers a physical presence – so it is easy to see the link, the fit.

Reports on Saturday said Derby were in talks with Albion about Austin.

I was told on Sunday lunch time they are not but so much can change, and quickly, in transfer windows and Derby will be fully aware of Austin’s situation, I’m sure.

It would be a surprise if they have not looked at the possibility, and might be looking at the possibility.

Keinan Davis of Aston Villa is a striker Derby have asked about taking on loan but that was always likely to depend on how Villa see the 22-year-old in their first-team plans and if they feel a loan spell would benefit his development.

Derby, nor Cocu, will not discuss targets nor talk about other club’s players, quite rightly, but what they will say is the hunt for a striker continues.

Filip Benkovic could be heading out on loan before the domestic transfer window closes at 5pm on October 16.

The Leicester City defender almost joined Derby County in January.

The centre-back was the Rams’ number one target in the last transfer window but decided to join Bristol City on loan.

He is now back at Leicester but the 23-year-old is still not in the Foxes’ first-team plans.

Benkovic has made only two senior appearances for Leicester since he signed two years ago.

With Daniel Amartey back in the fold and Wesley Fofana signed, Benkovic will need to go out on loan to get game-time.