Managing Derby County: Paul Warne's dream Rams rebuild as transfer window opens (2024)

The transfer window is now open for business and for Derby County, it is going to be a fascinating summer of recruitment.

Back in the Championship after a two-year absence, Paul Warne will be eager to build on the momentum Derby gained through their unforgettable promotion from League One last season.

Derby have already made a solid start to transfers with Ben Osborn, Kayden Jackson and Jerry Yates all arriving in what has been a solid start with Kenzo Goudmijn largely expected to follow suit. Here Derbyshire Live takes a look at the key priorities for Derby as they plot the summer deals ahead of what will be a challenging season back in the second tier.

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Nailing down the goalkeeper

Derby's search for a replacement for Joe Wildsmith has become chief priority after deciding to let him go at the end of last season despite having an impressive campaign.

Daniel Iversen is believed to be the club's top target with Warne eager to be reunited with the Danish goalkeeper with whom he had worked previously at Rotherham United.

As has been reported, the issue remains the salary increase that was part of Iversen's contract if Leicester won promotion to the Premier League. But the clubs have held talks and a compromise will have to be found which will mean the club attempting to meet somewhere close to halfway on wages.

Derby have also registered an interest in Mat Ryan, the former Brighton goalkeeper, who is now a free agent after leaving AZ Alkmaar. That deal is obviously less complicated given he would not cost a fee, but the salary for a player who played for Brighton in the Premier League means he is not going to come cheap.

With the first friendly of the summer coming up on Friday, it would be nice if a deal could be thrashed out but they do have an excellent goalkeeper on the books already in Josh Vickers, the only issue is that if he were to pick up an injury Derby would devoid of experienced options as it stands.

Midfield rebuild continues and Adams dilemma

This has been the most intriguing and also exciting area of the team that has been ripe for a complete rebuild after the departures of Korey Smith, Conor Hourihane and Max Bird.

Ben Osborn was the first player through the door although it remains to be seen if he will play in the middle of the pitch given he can also play as left wingback. But Kenzo Goudmijn is closing in on a move to the club which will bring some Dutch flair to the team with the 22-year-old earmarked as an exciting talent.

From what we have learned from Warne during his time in charge is that he likes his midfield to be flexible and Goudmijn can play as a deep-lying protector or as a number eight. Crucially, he has bundles of energy which is one thing Warne has craved since he was appointed back in September 2022.

Ebou Adams remains on the agenda, but the dilemma here is how long Derby are prepared to wait to find a breakthrough in terms of the finances involved. Cardiff need to drop their asking price and the Rams will not be duped into paying over the odds for a player with one year remaining on his contract. Does it get to the stage where Derby decide to look elsewhere particularly if they risk losing other targets while there remains no breakthrough? Adams wants the move and it is going to take some negotiating to get that one moving.

Stefan Thordarson was a player Derby liked, but he is heading to Preston. They will have backup plans in place, but there is scope to make further additions to the centre of midfield. Tyrese Fornah has a big pre-season ahead of him in that respect. If he does come back all guns blazing, then Derby might want to consider letting him leave on loan particularly as he failed to break into team at the back end of last season.

Another winger?

Derby had an interest in Josh Murphy who was linked to the world and his wife after his performances for Oxford United last season. He eventually decided to move to Portsmouth where he was reunited with old Us team-mate John Mousinho who is Pompey's manager.

Kayden Jackson can play on the right side of a front three or even as a wing-back, but you would not bet against Derby from trying to add more pace to their attack. In fairness, Derby are well stocked in the wide positions given they have Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Tom Barkhuizen and Corey Blackett-Taylor.

But Derby may feel they could add another particularly as they will be allowed nine subs next season and Warne likes to utilise his bench. They are considering loans from Premier League clubs, but the problem with those deals as it stands right now is that those players often feature in pre-season campaigns in order for their managers to take a closer look before settling on their squads for the season ahead.

Derby might well have to play a waiting game in that respect and those types of deals often come later in the window but there is undeniably a lot of talent that is now open to Warne as a result of their promotion to the Championship.

What do you feel Derby need next this summer? Have your say in the comments HERE

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