Youngsters catching eye again ahead of summer
INS AND OUTS LIKELY AT PRIDE PARK IN WINDOW
DERBY County, and other Championship clubs, have sold players in recent summer transfer windows to help shape the squad for the upcoming season.
In 2016, midfielder Jeff Hendrick moved to Burnley for a fee in excess of £10m.
The following summer, 2017, Will Hughes departed for Watford in a £5m deal rising to £9m plus a 15% sell-on clause, while Tom Ince joined Huddersfield Town for a fee rising to £11.3m. Cyrus Christie was also sold, to Middlesbrough, for £2.5m.
In 2018, the Rams’ leading scorer Matej Vydra moved to Burnley for an undisclosed fee and Andreas Weimann joined Bristol City for £2m plus add-ons.
And last summer, Jayden Bogle and Max Lowe joined Sheffield United in a reported £11m joint deal.
This summer’s transfer window is fast approaching and Rams manager Wayne Rooney has said he will have to be adaptable.
“I think that is the main thing I have to be. I can still plan, I can plan for different scenarios,” he said.
The squad needs attention, ins as well as outs are likely.
The Rams Academy’s reputation for developing youg players is blossoming and a number have been linked with Premier League clubs in the past year.
Burnley, Crystal Palace, West Ham United and Leeds United have all reportedly shown an interest in Jason Knight, the 20-year-old
Republic of Ireland international midfielder who has started all but one of Derby’s 38 League matches this season and has captained the side.
Transfer rumours surrounded Knight in the January window before Rooney issued a firm warning to clubs.
He said: “Jason Knight will not be leaving this football club. The players I want to stay at this club will be staying.
“They (other clubs) can circle round as much as they want. The players I want, and who I feel have a future at this club, will not be leaving.”
Also in January, it was reported that Leeds United are monitoring Louie Sibley, the 19-year-old attacking midfielder, while, a year ago, Max Bird was being linked with Chelsea after the midfielder impressed on breaking into Derby’s first team.
Lee Buchanan, a left-back or left wing-back, has broken into the team this season and has caught the eye. Rooney has described the 20-yearold as one of the best young leftbacks in the country and has tipped him to play for England.
There is also a question mark over Tom Lawrence’s long-term future at the club. He is working his way back to full match fitness after being sidelined for three months with an ankle injury.
The Wales international has a year to run after this season. Will the Rams look to extend his stay or could they look to cash in on the 27-yearold?
Kamil Jozwiak’s contract runs to 2024, although his performances for Poland will not have gone unnoticed by clubs. The 22-year-old’s talents will be on show at this summer’s European Championships.
Derby still need to make sure of their Championship status for next season but it promises to be an interesting summer transfer window.