Derby County have a long-standing interest in Sheffield Wednesday striker Michael Smith.
The player has been subject to speculation for quite some time and Derby are one of the clubs who are keen on signing him.
Smith has produced superb goalscoring numbers across the EFL over the past few years, registering 20 goals in 49 appearances for Sheffield Wednesday last term.
Although he produced impressive numbers to help the Owls win promotion through the play-offs, he has since fallen down the pecking order in the Championship.
The 32-year-old was involved in the early part of Danny Rohl’s tenure, scoring a brace in the vital victory over Rotherham United.
Since then, however, he has found game time hard to come and the emergence of Bailey Cadamarteri hasn’t helped his cause.
Smith looks as though he’s on his way out of Hillsborough and Derby were the first to swoop in for the “game-changer” after submitting a loan bid this week.
Although the striker has said he’s keen on joining, the Owls are demanding an excessive loan fee on top of his wages to bring him to Pride Park and this appears to be holding up the deal.
While it’s unclear whether Derby will meet those financial demands, Paul Warne should look elsewhere by attempting to sign Niall Ennis on loan from Blackburn Rovers.
Why Derby should try to swoop for Niall Ennis
Bolton Wanderers are currently leading the race to sign the Blackburn striker but Derby should now swoop in ahead of their League One rivals.
After scoring 12 goals and supplying six assists in the third tier last term to help Plymouth Argyle win the League One title, Ennis was captured on a free transfer by Blackburn.
Unfortunately, the Wolves academy graduate has only played 338 minutes in the Championship this season and is yet to score for the club.
With the likes of Sam Gallagher and Sammie Szmodics above him in the pecking order, a loan back to League One could be hugely beneficial for his career.
Once hailed as “outstanding” by former manager Ryan Lowe, the 24-year-old is in desperate need of regular minutes and Warne can certainly provide him with that.
At the age of 33, top scorer James Collins could sometimes do with a rest while Martyn Waghorn and Arsenal loanee Tyreece John-Jules continue to suffer from injuries.
This is why Warne has looked to address his striker situation by signing Smith, but if that isn’t possible, they should hijack Bolton’s move for Ennis instead.