Now Derby are linked with Dons’ ace Pigott
WITH the summer transfer rumour mill in full swing, the latest striker linked with Derby County is AFC Wimbledon’s Joe Pigott.
Pigott is out of contract with the League One club this summer.
He enjoyed a good season, scoring 22 goals in 52 games for a club which finished 19th in the third tier.
Dons boss Mark Robinson has confirmed they have offered the 27-year-old striker a new deal but knows that his head might be turned by interest from the Championship.
Wimbledon are the first club Pigott has settled with after a string of loans when starting his career with a four-year spell with Charlton Athletic.
The Dons picked him up in January 2018 after he impressed with non-league Maidstone United.
He has played 157 games for Wimbledon and scored 54 goals, an impressive strike-rate.
Robinson believes the club can ward off interest from their divisional rivals but recognises there
could be more of a challenge should a Championship side offer terms.
“We’ve made an offer to Joe and I am confident he’s been impressed by what we want to build.” said Robinson.
“If it’s a case of Joe continuing to play League One football then I believe he will stay.
“I think there’s a big part of him that wants to stay and take us forward but if offers come in from
Championship clubs it understandably may be a different thought process for him.”
The Rams are in need of reinforcements up front and the speculation websites have also suggested that Birmingham City and Swansea City are also interested.
Martyn Waghorn is out of contract at Pride Park, while Derby finished the season with Lee Gregory on loan but he has returned to Stoke City.