Paul Warne should swoop for a player wanted by Championship rivals Sheffield Wednesday as he’d offer something unique to Derby County.
Derby supporters were left overjoyed on Wednesday as midfielder Ebou Adams was finally announced as a permanent signing, following his successful loan spell last term.
The Gambian international signed a three-year contract at Pride Park, keeping him at the club till 2027, while joining the likes of Ben Osborn, Jerry Yates, Kayden Jackson and Kenzo Goudmijn in making the switch.
Adams returning to the club offers hope of Derby staying in the Championship next season, as do links to Brest winger Karamoko Dembele, with the Rams submitting a bid for the 21-year-old.
Links to a player who scored eight and assisted 13 on loan at Blackpool in League One last term suggest Paul Warne isn’t finished bolstering his attack, and he should also look at a player wanted by Sheffield Wednesday.
Derby County should swoop for Troyes striker Ike Ugbo
Troyes striker Ike Ugbo is hot property at the moment following two impressive loan spells in the Championship.
Ugbo spent the first half of the season on loan at Cardiff City before joining Sheffield Wednesday in January, and it was during his spell with the Owls that he made a name for himself.
The 25-year-old scored seven goals in 19 appearances for Wednesday as Danny Rohl pulled off a survival miracle to keep them in the second tier.
Such form has prompted interest from multiple Championship clubs – including Wednesday – with journalist Darren Witcoop reporting that Ugbo wants a return to Hillsborough, though a deal to land him isn’t close at this stage.
That should call for Derby to conjure up the funds and place an offer on the table after showing ambition in this window.
Ike Ugo would offer something unique to Derby County’s strikeforce
With the additions of Yates and Jackson this summer, Warne now has four strikers to choose from, including last season’s top scorer James Collins and Northern Irishman Conor Washington.
Most of those players, namely Yates and Jackson, like to play on the last defender and flourish when balls are played in behind.
Warne, though, is currently lacking a target man type of striker, who can use physicality to hold up play for their team and win aerial duels.
Standing at 6 foot 1 but boasting the strength and power to outmuscle defenders, Ugbo would provide that for Warne in abundance.
Indeed, the Canadian international was a useful weapon for Wednesday last term as he could make the ball stick up top, allowing them to relieve pressure and play on the counterattack.
Not only that, but the powerful forward is also supremely clinical in front of goal, scoring 11 goals last term from a total xG of just 9.87.
With question marks currently hanging over their ability to score goals, signing Ugbo – or someone of a similar profile – would help relieve some of that anxiety and give Derby a ‘fantastic’ focal point in attack.