Derby County
Derby County set to sign former Nottingham Forest man as first signing of summer window
Derby County’s transfer business may have just kickstarted with a bang as they close in on the signing of a former Nottingham Forest player.
Paul Warne is currently looking to assemble his squad for the upcoming Championship campaign.
The Derby boss needs at least nine new signings to replace the six first-team players who departed after their contracts expired, including Joe Wildsmith and Conor Hourihane.
Several names have been linked across several positions, including Leicester City goalkeeper Daniel Iversen, Liverpool midfielder James McConnell and Brest winger Karamoko Dembele.
But none of them listed are the player Warne is reportedly close to signing, with Alan Nixon claiming they’ve won the race for one of their other targets.
Derby County have ‘won the race’ for Ben Osborn
Reporting via his Patreon, journalist Nixon said: “Derby County are ready to sign versatile Ben Osborn after he left Sheffield United.
“The Rams have won the race for Osborn who was also fancied by Watford and could have stayed at Blades if they had hurried through their takeover.”
Derby showed an interest in Osborn once they knew the 29-year-old was made available and although fellow Championship side Watford ‘fancied’ him, it appears Warne has won the race for his signature.
Osborn – who grew up supporting the Rams with his father – made the controversial switch to Nottingham Forest as a nine-year-old in 2003.
The versatile midfielder featured 230 times for the Reds before leaving for South Yorkshire in 2019.
Osborn is fresh from making 24 appearances in the Premier League last term as United suffered a harrowing relegation from the top flight.
Nixon has even claimed that if they weren’t in the process of resolving their takeover, the Blades would have kept him for their promotion push.
What Ben Osborn will bring to Derby County
To pull off the signing of Osborn will be a magnificent piece of business for Derby, who need strength in numbers to survive in the Championship.
A previous promotion winner with Sheffield United, the battling Englishman will add an abundance of tenacity, energy and fight to their squad.
The former Forest player will also bring exceptional versatility having showcased his ability to play as a left wing-back, central midfielder and winger throughout his career.
For the Rams, Warne is likely to slot him into a central midfield role, tasked with marauding up and down the pitch with his incredible engine.
Warne previously spoke about adding athleticism to his squad and the “outstanding” Osborn will provide that in abundance.
Osborn is arguably a top-end Championship player, so for the Rams to win the race for his signature is a superb coup and one that will set the tone for the summer ahead.
-
Club Brugge1 month agoEx-Liverpool goalkeeper just won 4th title in 5 years since £8.3m exit
-
Wolverhampton wanders6 months agoWolves agree transfer deal and it’s great news for West Ham over striker hopes
-
Wolverhampton wanders6 months agoMassive clubs now want Wolves outcast who’s barely featured under O’Neil
-
Celtic6 months agoCeltic now make approach to sign Scott McKenna
-
Nottingham forest6 months agoNuno did something at Wolves which Nottingham Forest fans really won’t like if it continues
-
New Zealand warriors2 months agoEx-Warriors and Storm prop released by overseas club
-
Celtic6 months agoCeltic and Rangers both want to sign £3m Scotland international
-
Nottingham forest6 months agoNew boss Nuno sends pointed Nottingham Forest transfer message as he eyes Wolves repeat