Derby County

Sell, marry, avoid – Derby County’s transfer priorities with ex-Brighton star top of the love list

Published

2 weeks ago

June 22, 2024

Derby County are busy preparing to make their first signings of the transfer window in what has been a slow start to the market across the board in the Championship.

Head coach Paul Warne will build a completely new midfield in what is effectively a blank canvas after the departures of Korey Smith, Conor Hourihane and Max Bird. A new goalkeeper and two strikers are also chief priorities as fans eagerly await the first arrival.

Here, Derbyshire Live takes a look at three players that they should sell, marry and avoid as the Rams prepare for life back in the Championship.

It hasn’t quite worked out for the former Nottingham Forest midfielder after arriving from the Reds last season.

He barely made an appearance towards the back end of the campaign as Derby secured promotion back to the Championship.

Liam Thompson was preferred on the occasion Warne did alter his midfield and the summer holds a big question mark over Fornah who needs to seriously impress in pre-season.

With Derby set to build a completely new midfield this summer, Fornah is going to have to work extremely hard to nail down a place in their starting XI, particularly with the jump up in quality in the Championship.

He wouldn’t be short of offers, but he needs to be playing regularly at this stage of his career. And if a club puts a deal on the table then Derby should maybe consider selling or a season-long loan.

MARRY – Mathew Ryan

The former Arsenal goalkeeper was linked with a return to England in midweek with the Australian international set to leave AZ Alkmaar.

Having played for Brighton in the Premier League and making more than 120 appearances across a four-year spell, he would be an outstanding capture. Derby are in the hunt for a new goalkeeper after releasing Joe Wildsmith at the end of last season while third-choice stopper Scott Loach also departed.

Ryan would likely command a sizeable wage, but we can dream a little can’t we? At 32 he still has many years ahead of him as a goalkeeper and you cannot argue with his pedigree.

The number one position is chief on Derby’s priorities this summer and the spine of the team will be strengthened with the midfield set for a complete overhaul. But a good goalkeeper is essential if Derby are to make a fist of it in the Championship next season. Ryan’s arrival would undoubtedly get a big thumbs up from the fans.

AVOID – Ateef Konate

Links to Konate surfaced last month with the midfielder a free agent after leaving Nottingham Forest.