According to the Bristol Post, Derby County will terminate the loan deal of Jamie Paterson in January – a move which could be linked with Celtic’s Scott Sinclair.
The Rams signed Paterson on deadline day in the summer. The Bristol City man evidently wasn’t the club’s first-choice and his arrival was met with mixed emotions.
Derby were first said to be keen on Celtic’s Sinclair in the summer (Football Insider).
In defence of Paterson, he has looked lively at Pride Park. The 27-year-old has two assists and one goal in ten Championship appearances so far this season.
Paterson assisted Chris Martin’s equaliser at Leeds United. He then followed that up with the winning goal in the entertaining 3-2 victory over Birmingham City at Pride Park.
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He has done far more than fellow wide players Mason Bennett and Florian Jozefzoon.
But one of Derby’s main weaknesses this season has been their lack of quality out wide. Duane Holmes, Martyn Waghorn and Tom Lawrence are all more suited to central roles.
Paterson leaving in January will limit manager Phillip Cocu’s options further.
A fresh report by Football Insider says Derby are still keen on Sinclair ahead of January. The news just happens to resurface following the report of Paterson’s impending departure.
Sinclair has made just two appearances for Celtic this season. After three years of being a regular, the former Swansea City winger is now out of favour at Celtic Park.
Sinclair scored 60 goals in 153 games in all competitions prior to this season. He helped Celtic win every domestic trophy on offer. He has helped the side make history.
But with his contract expiring next summer, it seems his time at Celtic is drawing to an end. Sinclair, 30, still has plenty to offer and Derby must strengthen out wide.
January could provide the Championship side with a chance to strike a cut-price deal.
Also see: ‘Nowhere near good enough’: Some Derby fans want 22-year-old gone amid transfer news
Also see: ‘Needs dropping; 0/10’: Some Derby fans slam 27-year-old in Fulham defeat