What could be on cards in summer?
DERBY County are still searching for precious points to secure their Championship status for next season.
At the same time, the club is on the verge of being taken over by No Limit Sports Limited, owned by Spanish businessman Erik Alonso.
The Rams announced last week that a definitive agreement to purchase the club has been reached with No Limits Sports, subject to EFL approval.
All this makes it difficult to predict how Derby’s summer transfer window will shape up.
Wayne Rooney has said he wants to see Derby challenging for the top six next season, but how much business in the transfer market will he be able to do?
A number of players have already been linked with the Rams, from promising youngsters joining the club’s Academy to the possibility of some of the current loanees returning.
Here is the latest transfer news and rumours.
■■Price tag placed on League One forward
Plymouth Argyle are said to have placed a significant price tag on the head of forward Luke Jephcott, who has been linked with Derby County, ahead of the summer.
The Rams were reported to be among a number of clubs keen on the 21-year-old hot-shot in the January transfer window, with Nottingham Forest, Stoke City and Sheffield Wednesday also said to be interested.
Plymouth manager Ryan Lowe admitted there had been “a few inquiries” about the player but they went no further than that.
Now LancsLive claim Jephcott “is understood to have had a £5m fee attached for his services”.
Derby will look to strengthen their attacking options in the summer transfer window. The Rams are among the lowest scorers in the Championship this season.
■■Will striker Lee Gregory return next season?
Derby boss Wayne Rooney will make a decision at the end of season on whether or not he will look to bring striker Lee Gregory back next season.
Gregory has been ruled out for the season with the hamstring injury he suffered in the home victory over Luton Town earlier this month.
The 32-year-old is on loan from
Stoke City, where his contract runs to the summer of 2022.
“He’ll do his rehab and we will help him get back fit, and obviously make a decision on Lee at the end of the season. I think he has been fantastic – attitude, energy, hunger,” said Rooney.
Gregory joined the Rams on deadline day at the end of the January transfer window.
He has made 11 appeanaces – six starts and five as a substitute – and he has scored three goals.
■■Defender on radar of Derby and Championship rivals
The Rams are said to be one of several Championship sides keeping an eye on 21-year-old Swindon Town defender Akin Odimayo ahead of the summer transfer window.
Stoke City, Sheffield Wednesday and Preston North End all also said to be interested.
Odimayo is out of contract at the end of the season but the League One club has the option to extend his deal by a further year.
The defender has played 30 times in League One this season.
■■Midfielder making a big impression
Derby County are monitoring Scunthorpe United youngster Joey Dawson, according to reports.
The 17-year-old midfielder or forward is a second-year scholar who is making a big impression at the League Two club.
Derby and Celtic see Dawson as one for the future. The player has previously been linked with Arsenal.
Dawson, the nephew of Nottingham Forest favourite Michael Dawson, became Scunthorpe’s youngest player to make his firstteam debut when he came off the bench in a Carabao Cup tie against Derby in August 2019.
Dawson, Scunthorpe-born, has been at the club since under-eight level.
■■Chelsea youngster on trial with Rams
It is being reported that Derby are close to signing young midfielder Dubem Eze.
Eze began the season with Chelsea’s Under-16s but was not offered a scholarship.
He has been on trial with the Rams and came off the bench to score a winning goal for the Under-18s in a recent 2-1 victory over Everton.
Reports say he will sign his first professional contract with the Rams when he turns 17.
■■Rooney wants Manchester United defender to extend his stay
Wayne Rooney has said there is an agreement in place with Manchester United for Teden Mengi to stay on loan at Derby next season.
The 18-year-old defender joined the Rams on deadline day at the end of the January transfer window.
“Teden can play in a back three or a back four, I have no problem with playing him in either of those formations. He is young and I think this experience is great for him – playing, being on the bench, being around the first team, it’s a lot of pressure which he has handled really well,” said Rooney.
“Teden will play more games for us, he is a player I am hoping to keep here for next season.”
Asked if he has spoken to Manchester United about Mengi and next season, Rooney said: “Yes. It is on the player, really.”