With less than a week to go before the transfer window closes, the last few days will be fascinating where Derby County are concerned.
Matt Clarke’s arrival on a permanent deal from Middlesbrough yesterday was their latest addition having signed a permanent deal from Middlesbrough that will help compensate for the loss of Curtis Nelson.
Derby are still eager to strengthen their backline with another defender particularly with Brighton ramping up their attempts to secure Eiran Cashin before the close of play. The player is understood to be keen on the move having initially missed out on a switch to the Premier League when Brighton failed to reach an agreement with Derby on a tense deadline day back in 2023.
Derby are thought to want £10m and at this moment, Cashin’s exit feels more probable than improbable. Although the hierarchy had said he was ‘categorically’ not for sale, there looks to have been a gradual shift in stance in the knowledge that the money commanded from his sale could be invested back into the team in areas where Derby certainly need to strengthen.
The centre of midfield is among those priorities with Middlesbrough’s Dan Barlaser a target. He is a player that head coach Paul Warne knows well having managed him at Rotherham and you sense a deal could be done there with Boro eager to revamp their own squad as they push for promotion to the Premier League.
Warne is also eager to add a winger of quality to the attack, having missed out on Louie Barry, who is heading to Hull City. Derby were among the long list of clubs to have made enquiries for the 21-year-old, but the cost of the deal perhaps showcases the kind of money being thrown around.
Aston Villa wanted a £1m loan fee and the £25,000-a-week wages make it an eye-watering deal for a player who although had an incredible spell in League One with Stockport County has not kicked a ball in the Premier League. There had also been talk of a move for Richard Kone, but the value to Wycombe is considerable and they are currently trying to fend off Luton Town amid reports that they have tabled a third bid of around £5m for his services.
Derby ideally would like to have three players in before the close of play with a right-sided defensive player under consideration, one that can ideally play as right-back as well as in the centre of defence, a need that has been heightened by the hamstring injury sustained by Kane Wilson.
Crucially Derby do have one loan spot remaining after Tawanda Chirewa’s return to Wolves so it does give them room to manoeuvre ahead of next Monday’s deadline.
As far as departures are concerned, there has been League One interest in Tom Barkhuizen who is in the last six months of his deal and that could well be a player to keep an eye on. James Collins has already departed to Lincoln City and there are continual murmurs of interest in Joe Ward.
Conor Washington remains a player whose future will also come under the spotlight given he has yet to kick a ball this season and he is another who will be free to leave the club in the summer.
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