Striker Luke linked with Derby move
DERBY County have been linked with a move for Hartlepool United striker Luke Molyneux as the club awaits news on Chris Kirchner’s takeover.
The Rams are eager to build a squad capable of winning promotion from League One next season and will need to move quickly in the transfer market should the American businessman take control.
And Hartlepool forward Molyneux is reported to have attracted Rooney’s interest. The 24-year-old is currently in talks over a new deal with the League Two club.
Should he not put pen to paper in the north-east, he will be available as a free agent.
He is already reportedly catching the eye of Portsmouth after scoring 12 goals last season in League Two.
Over the weekend, the Rams were linked with a move for Tom Barkhuizen, who is a free agent after his release from Preston North End.
Rooney is prepared for a huge rebuilding job this summer, with the club expected to have one of the busiest transfer windows once their future has been secured.
Speaking about his plans for Derby this summer, Rooney said: “I am confident and optimistic.
“As I said, we’ve brought a lot of young lads in earlier than we really should have. The experience they have gained over the season will be huge for them and the club moving forward.
“We’ve got a real group of young players that have built up a toughness, a mentality and a togetherness which allows me to add to that in the next couple of months to really create a team that can get us straight back up.
“That’s what we are trying to do and working on.
“We are still waiting for things to be completed but we are really confident that will happen. When it does we will, hopefully, go out and keep working to how we’ve been working.
“We need to add to the squad and bring a lot of staff in as well. But we will do everything we can to get that right and try to move this club forward.”