Derby County could have a huge problem on their hands next summer as nine of their first-team players are out of contract.
Derby have acted fast to get the bulk of their transfer business over the line this summer, capturing four players permanently and two on loan.
The Rams boss still isn’t satisfied, though, as he still wants at least three more players through the door ahead of their clash against Blackburn Rovers.
With only Josh Vickers as a senior goalkeeper, Warne needs to land a replacement for Joe Wildsmith. That is expected to be Jacob Widell Zetterstrom from Swedish side Djurgardens but Derby have to wait to confirm his arrival as he’s involved in Europa Conference League qualifiers.
A goalkeeper is the main priority in the coming days but so is another striker, with journalist Leigh Curtis claiming that signing a clinical finisher – either on loan or permanently – could make all ‘the difference’.
For Derby to stay in the Championship in 2024/25, plenty of incomings still need to arrive, but that isn’t the only problem awaiting Warne.
Derby County have nine players out of contract in 2025
Earlier on in the summer, Derby released several of their out-of-contract players, including captain Conor Hourihane, goalkeeper Wildsmith and striker Dwight Gayle.
Warne felt it was necessary to let go of the old guard in preparation for the Championship by bringing in younger talents with added speed and athleticism.
The Rams boss has done that successfully with the permanent additions of Kenzo Goudmijn, Kayden Jackson, Ebou Adams and Ben Osborn whereas David Ozoh and Jerry Yates have made loan moves.
But, it seems unavoidable that Derby find themselves in a similar position next summer, whereby they’re releasing several of their players.
| Derby County players out of contract in 2025 |
| Curtis Nelson |
| Kane Wilson |
| Tyrese Fornah |
| Tom Barkhuizen |
| Liam Thompson |
| Sonny Bradley |
| Conor Washington |
| James Collins |
| Craig Forsyth |
Derby have nine players on their books whose contracts expire in 2025, with attacking right-back Kane Wilson, ‘immense’ defensive titan Curtis Nelson and academy graduate Liam Thompson all with just a year left.
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The players Paul Warne should keep at Derby
When the time comes to decide who he wants to keep from that list, there are only a couple of players who you would consider safe and deserving of a new contract.
Nelson, Wilson, Thompson and Barkhuizen should be the managers’ top priorities, whilst it is likely that veterans Craig Forsyth, James Collins and Conor Washington could leave along with Tyrese Fornah and Sonny Bradley.
It also depends on whether the Rams are still in the Championship this time next year as many of the above would be handy to have in League One, whereas they’re less valuable in the second tier.
With Warne looking to conclude a successful summer of transfer business, predominantly incomings, offering his current players new contracts isn’t a priority, although it is a situation he should give some thought.