Derby County transfer notebook as deal has ‘real legs’ and midfield move given thumbs up
Latest Derby County news from DerbyshireLive brings you the tidbits of gossip and news on the transfer front
Derby County head coach John Eustace will get the chance to put his own stamp on the squad this summer in what looks set to be an exciting transfer window.
After arriving back in February as Paul Warne’s successor, Eustace did make a couple of free transfer additions to help cope with a crippling injury list.
But he will now get a proper chance to assemble a squad in his vision which promises to be an exciting prospect for the fans given the magnificent turnaround he has overseen since his arrival.
That said, here DerbyshireLive takes a look at what could happen across the summer and beyond in the latest Derby transfer notebook.
Conteh deal given thumbs up
Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie believes Kamil Conteh would be a good signing for Derby County as speculation over the midfielder continues.
The Rams have been linked with the Bristol Rovers midfielder who has also piqued the interest of Plymouth who were relegated from the Championship.
Conteh missed the back end of the season through injury, but he is widely regarded as an exciting talent having started his career at Middlesbrough.
The 22-year-old is a defensive midfield player, but one who is comfortable in possession and the centre of midfield will be an area that Derby need to strengthen.
And a potential move to Pride Park has been given the thumbs up by former Aston Villa midfielder Hendrie.
“He’s sort of got himself into a situation where he’s played a couple of seasons, he’s got experience of playing in League Two and League One. [Conteh is] 22 years of age, he’s obviously getting more game time,” Hendrie told Football League World.
“I think young, fresh blood who’ve been at [big] football clubs, he’s been at Middlesbrough. Yes, there’s obviously something they see.
“Whether he can make that step up. I’ve watched League One and League Two, there’s a few players that really stand out in that league that have got that hunger and desire to go and take the next step again – maybe he’s one of them.
“Obviously, they [Derby] look at players they can build up and work with. I think having that potential of working through the leagues and getting that physicality up, I think he’d be a good signing.”
Transfer expert on Weimann move
Derby County’s move for Andi Weimann has “real legs” as the Rams aim to bolster their attacking options this summer.
The Rams are keen on being reunited with the attacker who is currently available on a free transfer.
Blackburn have offered Weimann a deal in a bid to keep him at Ewood Park, but the Rams are hoping he can be convinced to make the move back to Pride Park.
Weimann scored nine goals in all competitions for Rovers last season as they just missed out on the play-offs.
Rovers boss Valerien Ismael wants to keep the former Bristol City attacker, but according to transfer journalist Graeme Bailey, it’s a move he can see happening.
But he cannot say the same about Blackburn centre-back Danny Batth who has also been linked with a move to Derby with the 34-year-old also available on a free transfer.
“I do see the Weimann one more than Batth,” he told EFL Analysis.
“I do know Eustace likes Andi Weimann. So that’s not a surprise to be honest. I think there’s a fair chance Weimann and Derby has real legs.
“We have to remember Eustace is working on a budget there, but I think he’s working on a budget to the point where, although he’s not going to rework the whole squad, I think he does want to make some real inroads with that squad this summer.”
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