Derby County have managed to get several of their targets over the line while another has just impressed his boss in pre-season.
The foundations are being laid for Derby to give Championship survival a real shot in 2024/25. That is the minimum expectation for the Rams, who arrive in the second tier after a two-year hiatus.
Manager Paul Warne has been hard at work in the transfer market to flesh out his depleted squad. Ben Osborn, Kayden Jackson and Jerry Yates have all arrived whilst midfielder Kenzo Goudmijn and goalkeeper Mathew Ryan could be next through the door.
There is however, one player that Warne reportedly wanted earlier on in the window who could now remain at his club as a fresh update emerges.
Brendan Rodgers waxes lyrical over Derby County target Bosun Lawal
As reported earlier in the window, Derby were interested in taking Celtic midfielder Bosun Lawal on loan to Pride Park.
The 21-year-old – who can also play as a centre-back – is fresh from an impressive loan spell at Fleetwood Town, where he scored six goals and provided two assists in 42 appearances.
Dubbed an ‘unbelievable’ talent by Charlie Adam, the man who managed him at Fleetwood, Lawal has recently impressed for current side Celtic in pre-season.
In their first outing against Ayr United, the Dublin-born star earned plaudits for his performance – including from manager Brendan Rodgers – who now has plenty to contemplate ahead of the new season.
Speaking of his display after the game, Rodgers said: “I really like Bosun, he’s a player who clearly has a lot of physical attributes.
“But what he has as well is a lot of football ability. You go out on loan, you can see he has that experience, that power and quality to break through and we have seen that this evening.
“I am really pleased for him. Younger players to get that chance to come in and play, as well as developing their fitness, it’s shown they have the personality to come in and play for Celtic.
“And that’s always important for me with young players, that they have no fear, and can go and show that.”
Judging by those comments, it sounds as though Rodgers is willing to give Lawal a chance at Celtic, although it is early days in pre-season and a loan move for the youngster shouldn’t be ruled out.
Derby County can find joy in the loan market
Lawal isn’t the only player tickling Derby’s fancy in the loan market, with the Rams also showing interest in Liverpool duo, Bobby Clark and James McConnell.
It shows their keen eye to land youngsters temporarily and save themselves money in the long run. Warne has already brought in striker Yates on loan from Swansea City and when looking in the Premier League, as just mentioned, there are other players available.
Down the wing, they could look at Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi whilst Manchester City defender Josh Wilson-Esbrand would be a shrewd pickup.
Hull City showed last term the value of shopping in the loan market after they signed Liam Delap, Tyler Morton and Fabio Carvalho from the top flight.
Derby could follow in similar footsteps by capturing at least a few youngsters on loan who can see their development skyrocket in the Championship.