Derby County may well have to brace themselves for offers from Birmingham City in the January transfer window as former Derby player and manager Wayne Rooney is planning on raiding the Rams.
Rooney became the new manager of Birmingham City on Wednesday morning, signing a three-and-a-half year deal following the sacking of fellow former Derby player John Eustace on Monday after 15 months in charge.
The 37-year-old is now planning on taking some of his former Derby players down to the second city.
Wayne Rooney planning Derby raid
According to TEAMTalk, Rooney is being given a big budget for January and is looking at bringing in Eiran Cashin, Max Bird, Louie Sibley and Liam Thompson.
Rooney gave both Cashin and Thompson their debuts for the Rams, whilst Sibley and Bird both became regulars in Rooney’s midfield.
He was in charge for 73 games as Derby manager, which in that time he helped nurture players that have become big assets for the Rams.
Would losing these players be a blow?
Whilst it is unlikely it would happen, losing all four of these players would be a big blow for manager Paul Warne.
Cashin would undoubtedly be the biggest blow, but we do know Derby’s resolve will have to be tested for them to sell after rejecting multiple bids from Premier League Brighton in the summer window.
Sibley has started to come into form after scoring a brace against Notts County in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night, so come January it could seem a bigger loss than it does currently should he continue.
Bird was close to moving to Hull in the summer too, and with all four of their contracts expiring in the summer, Derby may be more likely to sell to recoup a fee, rather than letting them go on a free.