Derby County will be fully focused on the battle to win promotion back to the Championship right now.
The Rams currently sit second in the League One table. They are five points adrift of league leaders Portsmouth.
Perhaps more importantly though, they are also a point clear of the play-off places, with eight games of the regular season still to be played.
But while getting over the line in the promotion will be the main priority for Derby County, they will also have to be making plans for the summer transfer window.
There are a number of routes the club may have to go down at that point. One of those, is the free agent market.
That could provide some useful bargains for the club, who may offer some important experience in the Championship, which could be important if they secure a return to the second-tier.
With that in mind, we’ve taken a look at five Championship players who are set to be out of contract in the summer, who could be worth targeting for Derby County.
Bartosz Bialkowski adds depth in goal
With both Joe Wildsmith and Scott Loach out of contract at the end of this season, the Rams may well need some extra goalkeeping depth.
Bartosz Bailkowski would offer that via this route, with the Pole’s contract at Ipswich Town due to expire in the summer.
The 36-year-old has plenty of Championship experience with a range of clubs throughout his career. That therefore, could make him a useful option to help Derby County in a range of ways, should they return to the second-tier.
Di’Shon Bernard could solidify Derby County’s defence
Regardless of what division the Rams are in next season, Eiran Cashin will surely attract attention from elsewhere in the summer.
That would leave Derby County needing some reinforcements at centre-back, which could come in the form of Di’Shon Bernard. The 23-year-old will be out of contract at Sheffield Wednesday in the summer.
Bernard has impressed in the Championship despite the Owls’ struggles this season, so they could struggle to keep him if they do go down. If Warne’s side come up, that could open the door for them to make a move for him, where Bernard’s experience in a newly promoted team could come very much in handy.
Hakeem Odoffin has worked with Paul Warne before
With Rotherham United looking set for relegation, Derby County boss Paul Warne could take advantage of that to reunite with Hakeem Odoffin.
It was Warne who signed the 25-year-old for the Millers, and may therefore know how to get the best out of a player who has done well in the Championship in recent years. That includes chipping in with some vital and often impressive goals.
Add in his versatility and the presence his height provides when it comes to set-pieces, and Odoffin could be another good addition for Derby County, with his contract at his current club expiring this summer.
Tom Bradshaw could score goals for Derby County
With three centre forwards out of contract in the summer and another on-loan until the end of the season, that is a position the Rams will surely need to strengthen.
One option they could consider for that role is Tom Bradshaw. The 31-year-old scored 17 goals in the Championship for Millwall last season. That shows just how much of a threat he can be at this level.
With this season not quite as prolific for him, Derby County may have a chance to win the race for him when he is due to become a free agent this summer. If that is the case, his ability to make an impact in front of goal would surely be welcome at Pride Park.
Tyrese Campbell may still have much to offer
The Rams may need more than one centre forward addition this summer, and another they could target is Tyrese Campbell.
It has been a tough couple of seasons for the 24-year-old, who has been hampered by injury, and is now coming to the end of his contract at Stoke City.
Prior to that though, Campbell had shown some considerable potential at this level. Meanwhile, at 24 years old, there is still plenty of time in his career for him to get things back on track. It could therefore be worth Derby County giving him the chance to do that.