Derby County are one of three League One outfits credited with an interest in Brighton & Hove Albion youngster Jensen Weir.
The Rams, alongside Portsmouth and Reading, have enquired about Weir’s availability this summer according to Darren Witcoop. He is expected to head out on loan again this season.
Having spent last season with Morecambe, the 21-year-old scored 11 goals and set up five in 51 appearances but was ultimately unable to help the Shrimps avoid relegation to League Two.
Weir was a bright spark in a struggling side, and actually scored against Derby in a 1-1 draw at the Mazuma Stadium – a frustrating night for the Rams as both David McGoldrick and James Collins failed to score from the penalty spot, being forced to settle for a point.
It is no secret that Paul Warne’s priority this summer has been to bring in forward additions. The club announced the return of Martyn Waghorn yesterday, although it is expected that at least one more striker will be heading to Pride Park before the end of the transfer window. However, an extra body in midfield would be a very sensible move for the Rams.
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The Brighton youngster excelled last season, so Derby should be jumping at the chance to add him to their ranks for the campaign.
Former Seagulls technical director Dan Ashworth stated that Weir was ‘an exciting young talent’ when he joined Brighton from Wigan Athletic for around £500,000 in 2020. It is safe to say he has lived up to that billing so far.
Capped by England Under-20s, the midfielder made just four appearances for Wigan before heading to the coast.
He was sent on loan to Cambridge United during the 2021/22 season, featuring 24 times before a knee injury kept him sidelined for the remainder of the campaign.
Derby could benefit from Weir
The following season at Morecambe was where he made a name for himself in the third tier, so it is no surprise that a host of top League One sides are keen to sign him up.
At present, the Rams have limited options in the box-to-box midfield role. If they are able to add a promising young Premier League talent such as Weir into their ranks then it would be a no-brainer.
This is an interesting one to keep tabs on.