Time to chase targets and Liam’s work can really get started now
DERBY County are shaping up for a huge summer of rebuilding under interim boss Liam Rosenior now Clowes Developments have complete their takeover of the club.
With seven players contracted to the club next season, the Rams will be busy in the transfer market as they look to plot their escape from League One.
Rosenior has a blank canvas as he looks to build a competitive squad for next season and with Derby fans hoping for a quick return to the Championship.
He will be hoping many of the players who featured for him last season and are out of contract will now sign new deals, such as the likes of Curtis Davies and Ravel Morrison.
But the Rams have also been linked with a number of players so far and exiting administration means they could now actively pursue them.
Here are a number of the names who have been linked with the club so far.
TERRELL THOMAS
According to reports, Derby are considering a move for the exReading defender, who is a free agent after leaving the Royals.
Thomas had joined Reading on a short-term deal in March after being released by Crewe Alexandra and made two appearances for Paul Ince’s side.
He is now deciding on his next move and while Birmingham City have been linked, it is believed the Blues are not actually interested in the centre-back.
His contract with the Royals officially ends on Thursday.
JAMES CHESTER
Chester is another free agent, having left Championship side Stoke City after two years.
He is a commanding centreback with Premier League experience and has been linked with a move to Pride Park.
The former Aston Villa player is an exceptional leader and has had a wonderful career. He is now seeking his next challenge and, at 33, he would bring plenty of expertise.
He would be considered a statement of intent if the Rams were to convince a player of his quality to drop into League One next season and, like others on this list, he would represent a bargain on a free transfer.
CONOR HOURIHANE
The midfielder is a free agent after leaving Aston Villa and has been linked with a switch to Derby, which, again would be an unbelievable coup for the Rams in League One.
Hourihane spent last season on loan with Sheffield United in the Championship and the Mirror reports that the Rams are keen to snap him up this summer.
A cultured midfield player, Hourihane made 32 appearances for the Blades last season as they finished in the play-off positions but were knocked out in the semi-final by Nottingham Forest.
He had also appeared in the play-offs the previous season, this time on loan to Swansea City.
He will not be short of offers after leaving Villa and would be a remarkable signing for Derby if speculation is to be believed.
Previous manager Rooney is said to have offered him a threeyear contract and wanted him to lead the promotion charge from League One.
PHIL BARDSLEY
The former Manchester United defender was linked with Derby under previous boss Wayne Rooney, the pair knowing each other well from their time together
at Old Trafford.
The full-back is currently a free agent after leaving Burnley, although Rooney’s departure from Derby clearly would not increase the chances of Bardsley landing at Pride Park.
A committed and tough-tackling defender, Bardsley has Premier League experience and it would be regarded as a significant coup if he was to join the Rams.
At 36, he is approaching the twilight of his career but he still has plenty to offer. His leadership and experience would undoubtedly be a valuable asset to a squad looking for a quick return to the Championship.
TOM BARKHUIZEN
The 28-year-old has departed Preston North End after his contract with the Championship club expired and has racked up more than 200 appearances, scoring 38 goals along the way.
Manager Ryan Lowe opted to release the attacker, who can operate across the front.
Derby are keen on him but so, apparently, are League One rivals Bolton Wanderers and newly-promoted Rotherham United.
Rosenior will certainly be hoping to revamp his forward line in the summer as he looks to build an attack capable of firing the club back to the Championship.
LEE GREGORY
The 33-year-old forward was part of the Sheffield Wednesday squad that missed out on the League One play-off final by losing to Sunderland in the semi-finals.
He scored 17 goals last season and is reportedly attracting interest from Middlesbrough and Sunderland.
Derby have also been credited with an interest but as Gregory has a year remaining on his contract, the Owls will want a fee.
That may rule him out of a return to Derby where he scored three goals in 11 appearances during a loan spell in 2021.
Derby are more than likely to be in the market for free transfers rather than spending fees on players – but we will see.