Paul Warne must seal a move for one of their ‘exceptional’ targets as Derby County’s Championship rivals hand them a transfer boost.
Derby County have been one of the more active clubs in the Championship this summer having confirmed five new signings.
For Paul Warne and his recruitment team, there has been a focus on adding depth to their depleted midfield and supplying quality in attack.
The Rams have ticked both boxes to a certain extent as Ebou Adams was the latest to arrive at Pride Park following last season’s fantastic loan spell.
Adams joins Ben Osborn, Kenzo Goudmijn, Jerry Yates and Kayden Jackson at Moor Farm, with the 28-year-old receiving the biggest reception.
With the Championship being one of the most unforgiving leagues on the planet, Warne knows the work has only just started and on top of signing a number-one goalkeeper, he also needs added flair and trickery in attack.
That is something winger Karamoko Dembele would provide, with Derby receiving a boost in their pursuit of landing the 21-year-old.
John Mousinho rules out Portsmouth move for Karamoko Dembele
On Wednesday, journalist Darren Witcoop reported that the Rams, Sheffield Wednesday and Portsmouth had all submitted offers for Dembele.
Derby initially showed interest in the fleet-footed winger last month as they discovered he was surplus to requirements at Brest, despite plundering nine goals and supplying 14 assists in all competitions on loan at Blackpool.
Although Witcoop claimed Pompey was one of the three clubs to have submitted an offer, manager John Mousinho has rubbished those rumours, stating ‘there’s nothing in that’.
As reported by The News, Mousinho said: “There’s nothing in that at the moment, that’s another one there’s no preparing or readying a bid!”
If Derby have actually prepared an offer for the talented Englishman, Warne must use Mousinho’s comments as a sign to push on in negotiations and bring the winger to Derbyshire.
Why Derby County must sign Karamoko Dembele
Dembele was universally recognised as the 13-year-old who was seen dancing through defenders while playing for Celtic’s under-20 side eight years ago.
Fast forward to the present day and his stock has taken a dramatic tumble since then however, an incredible loan spell at Blackpool in 2023/24 has gone a long way to restoring the belief in his potential.
With multiple Championship clubs interested, Derby can steal a march on their rivals by securing his signature and there are various reasons why they should.
Derby have Nathaniel Mendez-Laing on the left flank who is nailed on to start but on the opposite wing – Dembele’s preferred position – is up for grabs with Corey Blackett-Taylor and Joe Ward tussling for a starting spot.
The arrival of Dembele would blow both of their names out of the water and instantly become a key cog in their attack, utilising his low centre of gravity and frighteningly good dribbling to torment defenders.
Once labelled as ‘exceptionally good’ by footballing icon Ruud Gullit, the 2003-born attacker would go a long way to fixing the issues Derby had in the final third.
They were often devoid of creativity in League One and struggled to create chances, unless it was through Mendez-Laing, whereas Dembele created 15 big chances and averaged two key passes per game at Blackpool.
The Rams are crying out for such creativity in the Championship, while a move for the talented winger would infinitely improve their survival chances.