How about these five that Rams might have a look at?
THE days of Middlesbrough shelling out £15m for Britt Assombalonga and Aston Villa breaking the bank for Ross Mccormack are all but a distant memory in the Championship.
Most clubs are now having to come up with a recruitment strategy that stops short of spending millions – especially, in the durrent circumstances, Derby County.
There are often risks attached with targeting those unwanted by their previous club but this summer, more than usually, there will be bargains to be had.
Derby have been linked to a host of names already and Wayne Rooney will bew looking at what is on offer to improve the squad as the club attempt to rebuild the ruins of last season.
Here are five free transfer players from Premier League and Championship clubs that the Rams could consider this summer, if they haven’t already:
Muhamed Besic: Besic is the forgotten man with Everton and set to be released upon the expiry of his contract after an injury-hit sevenyear spell with the club.
The 28-yearold spent two seasons on loan with Middlesbrough from January 2018 to May 2019, becoming a fan favourite on Teesside.
Boro attempted to sign Besic on a permanent deal, agreeing on a fee and personal terms, but the deal fell through, with Besic joining on loan instead.
Besic then joined Premier League newcomers Sheffield United on loan for the 2019-20 season but played only 13 times.
After being limited in action for two years, the defensive midfielder would need to build up match sharpness with a new club.
But could a fully-fit Besic provide Wayne Rooney with a midfield option that differs from the tidy ball-playing midfielders he currently has? If his time at Boro was anything to go by, he ticks boxes as a strong tackling, no-nonsense midfielder who can start attacks.
Josh Sims: Winger Sims, 24, is surplus to requirements with Southampton and set to depart the club upon his contract expiry on July 1.
Sims being available is likely to lead to a host of clubs looking to snap up his signature after a productive loan spell with Doncaster Rovtheir ers last season, assisting eight times in 28 League One appearances.
He has good pace and a low-centre of gravity, useful for skipping past defenders and drawing fouls.
Sims is capable of playing on both wings and the 24-year-old will be looking for a permanent home to play first-team football and unlock his potential, having shown glimpses of that last season.
Tom Lees: Derby’s problems on the field are a culmination of many circumstances but leadership, or a lack of it, among them.
The departure of Richard Keogh and the long-term injury to Curtis Davies, along with Rooney’s own retirment as a player has left them short of on-the-pitch leaders.
Lees is set to leave relegated Sheffield Wednesday. He was stripped of his captaincy under Garry Monk but the 30-year-old underwent a resurgence last season, becoming a pivotal figure once more in the heart of defence.
If Derby were to get centre-back Teden Mengi on loan from Manchester United for a second season, then the addition of a leader, someone like Lees, next to him could form an effective partnership of youth and experience.
Could a fully-fit Besic provide Rooney with a midfield option that differs from what he currently has?
Matty James: James has spent a while on the periphery with Leicester City but two loan spells, with Barnsley in the first half of last season and Coventry City in the second half, offered the 29-year-old some much-needed game time.
However, there are rumours that Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson is hoping to reunite James and another of his former Foxes, Andy King.
With interest elsewhere from clubs expected to be fighting for promotion in Swansea City and Cardiff City, a deal to bring James to Pride Park might be unlikely but he would certainly improve the midfield if he
did come.
At his best, he is able to dictate play, caressing long-range passes and stepping into challenges when required.
In Coventry’s last seven games, he scored twice and assisted a further three, to show that he is still firing.
Lee Peltier: The veteran rightback is expected to depart West Bromwich Albion at the end of the month as the club look to offload several older first-team players.
The 34-year-old featured strongly for Cardiff City in their promotion to the Premier League in 2017-18 and is one who could bring knowhow to a troubled dressing room.
Although Nathan Byrne is one of Derby’s stronger players at rightback, Peltier could prove reliable cover
The former Leeds United, Huddersfield Town and Cardiff defender is perhaps the sort of player Rooney could take a chance on.